There are distinct placements in the working world for men and women. But the dividing line between the two is miniscule.
I do not believe women belong at home, “barefoot and pregnant.” However, the world is rather lopsided in the fact that women are often unable to stay home and raise their families, tend to their children and homes, as they would like/need to. Current times call for 2 paychecks, sometimes 3 or 4.
When a woman earns a living she absolutely should receive pay commensurate to the job that she performs.
I do think there are jobs that men are better at, not many. In many cases, in a physical sense, men can be the stronger sex. Fact is…5 foot tall men, 120 lbs, are not the norm.
In most cases, women definitely have a strong sense for business. In the business world, equal pay should be the rule.
Equal pay should be the rule for any job that can be performed to its maximum potential, male or female, on a level playing field.
I have caught numerous comments these past few months regarding unequal pay. For example, a woman writer adopts a male name, publishes her blog, book, or article with a fictitious male name, and earns significantly more money as a male than as a female. Why?
Myself, I have had the battle cross before me. The battle of telling someone (especially a male) what I do. The reaction was clearly positioned as I cannot possibly be a farmer, I am a woman. I cannot operate a serious business with potential for growth, it surely is a hobby, because I am a woman.
No, this isn’t about me, this is for equality. Not the bra-burning 1960’s outlook on equality. Not the “cry tears for me” equality because we are still mis-understood. Personally, I am not often mis-understood, nor do I make a huge effort to be understood. I know how to present myself. What I am speaking for is the overall world…if a person does a job well, male or female, equal compensation must follow.
Do you agree? How do we fix the gap?
Note: Female copywriter reveals: Why I’ve been writing as a man. You know me as James Chartrand of Men with Pens, a regular Copyblogger contributor for just shy of two years. And yet, I’m a woman. — James Chartrand, Copyblogger (posted at http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/12/16/media-briefs-female-writer-makes-more-money-as-a-man-murdochs-merry-xmas-memo/)
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
Mary, I totally agree with equal work, equal pay. I’m not a feminist either, but there are certainly some things that women can do as well as or better than a man. When it’s something to do with physical strength, then of course a man can do it better (normally), but something of the mind/brain, women can and do an equal or better job. You’d think sometimes we’re still living in the 50’s and 60’s the way women are still discriminated against.
I have a problem, tho, with women in a combat position in the military. They are physically not as strong as a man, and 100% physical strength and endurance are needed on the battlefield. There are other positions that a woman can fill in the military where she’s not out there on the front line.
There’s my 2 cents, for what it’s worth!
Well, Vickie, your 2 cents contained a great deal of thought.
I would imagine a woman would be a good strategist for the military. I, like you, am not sure about women having the strength to perform what is absolutely needed on the front line. But, I do not know what types of tests people are put through to ensure they are physically capable of the role.
I couldn’t think of the word feminist as I wrote early this morning! I am not one either.
Part of how we are treated leans towards how we persent ourselves. And that is another entire topic.
To answer your first question. Yes, I agree. When two people work side by side doing the same job, with the same results, the pay should be the same. Regardless of sex.
To answer the second question. I have no answer. As long as men are in charge, I don’t see a close to that gap. I’m not a feminist either, just stating the facts.
Becky, I do feel the problem exists more in jobs where there is a lack of management guidelines and controls. The writer, for example, did better when she took on a ficticious male name.
I don’t know about pay for jobs, but if you look at statistics it is now really the white male that is discriminated against…. As odd as it sounds, people are just so over the top politically correct. (At least here in the liberal NW 🙂
I live in a family of 6 kids and my mom has worked at home all her life as well as homeschooling us all through to the end of high school. Despite a mostly one income home we’ve been blessed to pay off our seven acre farm and house here in Oregon and take trips across the US and to Canada.
Woman are equal with men- just as smart, just as capable- equal heirs to the grace of God…but they don’t always have the same role.
Our attitude will greatly effect how we are treated as a woman.
The more we try to blur the lines between men and woman the more conflict and discrimination there actually will be.
Enjoyed the thought provoking post.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Merry Christmas!
Bethany
Bethany, you have been busy with lambing. I hope that continues to go well for you!
Your put that into perfect words. I agree with you so very much in the respect that the harder we try, the more opposition and dis-respect we will receive. It basically turns into a not so pretty picture. Not a good reflection that we want to present.
How we carry ourselves, display ourselves, and how we accomplish things in life…showing our integrity, our strengths, is what develops a solid ground.
Thank you for your well thought out comments.
Merry Christmas!