Question

Some people argue that the gender pay gap (i.e. men, on average, making more money than women) is not due to gender biases or unfair treatment. Rather, it is because many capable women, when they are in their 30s, often work less or quit their jobs in order to take care of their children rather than work long hours and continue to develop their career. Based on her article “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All?”, do you think that Marie-Anne Slaughter would agree with the above statement? Do you think she would agree that the gender pay gap is caused by women’s “preference to stay home”?

Answer 1

In the article "Why Women Still Can't Have It All" Marie-Anne Slaughter raises the issue of an inflexible working environment for women. She states that women has to balance between her career and her family. On the other hand men are on the advantageous side were they have to deal with their career demands. Even though feminist thinking has given women much freedom than before they still have to fulfill their traditional role of primary care giver. The present work environment makes this care giver role of women harder for her, as they have to work longer hours with minimum child care leaves. This gives them lesser and lesser time with their families if they choose their career as their prime importance, or they have to give ''preference to stay home" if the family is their prime choice. Thus, according to the author it's not the gender pay gap but the inflexible and unfriendly working environment for women that makes women stay at home. She voices against this gender gap and wants this issue to be addressed.