Causes of Gender Inequality
The underlying causes of gender inequality are complex and multi-faceted. Some are social, while others are environmental. While men are generally more likely to have better education and more job opportunities, women have fewer opportunities to advance in their fields. Because of this, women have fewer resources for quality health care. Furthermore, medical research on diseases affecting women is less extensive than that on men, which exacerbates the gender gap. Further, many women experience discrimination from doctors, which makes the situation worse.
Moreover, the mindset of society can play a significant role in the causes of gender inequality. Despite laws and structural changes, beliefs about gender persist and delay progress. When the focus is on one aspect of gender equality, people often overlook other areas and ignore the root causes of the problem. This can slow progress on gender equality and delay significant change. Here are some examples of what causes gender inequality. Read on to learn more. And be sure to share your stories with others.
As men, we should avoid contributing to the erosion of women’s progress and work toward consolidating the gains of women. Men can be influential by helping to eradicate gender bias in business. This research has the potential to lead to practical solutions to eradicating gender inequality and improving women’s lives. So, how do we go about tackling this problem? The first step is to make sure all employees have a voice and are transparent about how they feel about the company’s gender equity initiatives.
In spite of the progress made in recent years, there are still significant gender pay gaps. In the OECD group of higher-income nations, South Korea, where men earn 37 percent more than women, has the largest gap at 78%. Luxembourg has the narrowest gap, at 8 cents. The widest pay gaps are found in countries with weaker collective bargaining and low minimum wages. For example, in the United States, men make an average salary of $88,000, while women earn an average of $55,000. The smallest gap is found in the construction sector, where women make up only nine percent of the workforce.
The economic impact of gender inequality is enormous. A study by McKinsey Global Institute argues that gender equality could lead to $12 trillion in additional GDP by 2030. Women earn seventy-three percent of the world’s GDP today. However, this doesn’t mean that women should not work at all. Women are also more likely to take on caring responsibilities and reduce their hours. If everyone was equal, gender inequality could be eliminated in no time.
Social structures have contributed to gender inequalities. These structures largely institutionalize gender differences. Marginalization is a common outcome of gender inequality and demonstrates how marginalized individuals feel. In addition to the social consequences of marginalization, the media often promote the housewife or mother role. This perpetuates the problem. Therefore, a society should address these social issues to eliminate the discrimination against women. If it doesn’t address these issues, it will continue to deteriorate.