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Gender Equality Has No Easy Answer

© Melissa Sztuczko-Payk

Discrimination seems like a pretty cut and dried process. You don't like my people, you put up barriers, and I'm less likely to succeed. But my recent reading on the topic of gender equality makes me think it's just not that simple. I've also operated under the assumption that national economics was closely tied to gender equality, that the poorer a nation is, the less opportunity there is for women. Again, I'm proven wrong.

The Economy and Women's Rights

What are the Best Places to Live indicates that (according to a UN Human Development report) that the United States ranks eighth in fairness to women; Canada ranks fourth. Norway, Sweden and Denmark, all well-known for being family-friendly, are the top three in this area. Even more revealing is that money has little to do with the situation; for instance, South Africa and Costa Rica are fairer to women than France.

We Are Our Own Worst Enemies

Women to Blame for Low Pay gives a perspective not discussed often enough. Simply put, American women seldom negotiate a fair starting wage when hired, and they are less likely than men to demand raises. We're just too darn nice for our own good! We seem to assume that employers will make us their best offer first, instead of recognizing that employers are (as a whole) looking out for Number One (themselves), no matter how nice they may seem.

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