Gender Gaps in Employment Go Deeper Than Women’s Choices
Economists who declare the “myth” of gender gaps are neglecting psychology. Psychology Today
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Gender Gaps in Employment and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Introduction
The issue of gender gaps in employment is a global concern that affects every country in the world. Men, on average, have higher salaries, hold more leadership positions, and are more active in the workforce compared to women. This article aims to highlight the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to addressing these gender gaps.
The Free-Choice Argument and its Limitations
An article published in the Wall Street Journal last month suggests that women freely choose lower-salaried jobs with fewer working hours, resulting in lower earnings. However, this argument fails to consider the broader context in which women make these choices. It overlooks two fundamental forces that psychology can address: social expectations and masculine defaults in the workplace.
Social Expectations and Gender Employment Gaps
Social expectations play a significant role in shaping women’s choices and creating barriers for them in the workforce. Cultural beliefs that women should prioritize childbearing and caregiving responsibilities often pressure women to take time off work or avoid certain high-pressure, high-paying fields. In contrast, men face strong pressures to earn money and work long hours without the same expectations to contribute to family and household responsibilities. These stereotypes have a profound impact on women’s self-confidence when they try to break free from societal expectations.
The Burdens of Home Care and Child Rearing
Women are expected to shoulder the burdens of home care and child rearing, even in Western, modern societies. The social pressure and expectation for women to take on parenting roles are significantly higher than for men. Women who choose not to have children often face scrutiny and must explain their decision, while men rarely face the same level of judgment. Additionally, men who choose to be actively involved in parenting may face stigma for deviating from traditional gender roles.
Social Pressures and High-Paying Fields
Despite efforts to encourage women’s participation in STEM fields, strong social pressures still discourage women from pursuing careers in science and engineering. Research shows that children as young as six endorse beliefs that girls are less interested in these fields, leading girls to internalize these beliefs and report less personal interest in STEM areas. These societal expectations limit women’s choices and contribute to gender gaps in high-paying fields.
Overcoming Expectations and Achieving Gender Equality
To address gender employment gaps, it is crucial to recognize that women face a lifetime of powerful expectations imposed upon them by various societal actors. Instead of blaming women for these gaps, the focus should be on changing societal expectations. This could involve reducing expectations of women as caretakers or increasing expectations of men in caregiving roles. Closing the gender pay gap requires closing these gender expectation gaps, which can only be achieved through broader societal changes.
Conclusion
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for addressing gender gaps in employment. By recognizing the influence of social expectations and working towards changing them, we can create a more equitable society. Achieving gender equality requires collective efforts to challenge and transform the gendered expectations imposed on women, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and sustainable future.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis:
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article discusses gender gaps in employment and the unequal treatment of men and women in the workforce. These issues are directly connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Additionally, the article highlights the impact of social expectations and stereotypes on women’s career choices, which relates to SDG 10’s target of reducing inequalities. Finally, the article touches upon the economic aspect of gender inequality, linking it to SDG 8’s goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
- Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies
- Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities
- Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices
The article emphasizes the need to address discrimination against women in the workforce (Target 5.1) and highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing unpaid care and domestic work (Target 5.4). It also calls for achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all, regardless of gender (Target 8.5). Additionally, the article addresses the need to reduce inequalities of outcome by eliminating discriminatory expectations and practices (Target 10.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex
- Indicator 5.4.1: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work
- Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities
- Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law
The article suggests that legal frameworks should be in place to promote equality and non-discrimination based on sex (Indicator 5.1.1). It also highlights the unequal distribution of unpaid domestic and care work between men and women (Indicator 5.4.1). The article indirectly refers to the gender pay gap, which can be measured by comparing average hourly earnings of female and male employees (Indicator 8.5.1). Lastly, the article discusses the impact of discriminatory expectations on individuals, which can be measured by the proportion of the population reporting personal experiences of discrimination (Indicator 10.3.1).
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere | Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities | Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities |
| Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies | Indicator 5.4.1: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work | |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices | Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law |
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Fuente: psychologytoday.com
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