Workforce choices… the wage gap



Copyright 2012: Houston Chronicle

Updated 06:52 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2012

Regarding “Hard work” (Page B11, Monday), the claim that women “whatever their job, on average … receive just 77 cents for each dollar paid their male coworkers” is simply untrue. Studies finding such large discrepancies are not comparing the same jobs, with the same experience, hours and working conditions.

This brings up a larger point: Why is it that even today men and women are very often not doing the same job?

Here’s a hint: We still expect men to do the most dangerous work. In fact, as a general rule, the more dangerous the profession, the larger the proportion of men in it.

Another hint: Surveys of women show that many women are reluctant to even date a man who makes less money than they do.

Additionally, men who work in the home or with children face discrimination, hostility and suspicion. I speak from personal experience here.

How many men realistically have the same choice that many women consider to be their birthright, namely, the choice of whether to work outside the home or work at home?

I have a radical idea: If we have to fight the “mommy wars” again, this time let’s at least get input from the other half of the human race about the choices they would like to have.

Mark J. Lesmeister, Pearland