Should We Mind the Gap?: Gender Pay Differentials and Public Policy

Should We Mind the Gap?: Gender Pay Differentials and Public Policy

by J.R.Shackleton (Author)

Synopsis

Differences in the earnings of women and men are increasingly being used to justify regulation of the private affairs of employers and employees. Yet there is little evidence that the 'gender pay gap' is the result of unfair discrimination. In fact it can be explained by variations in the kinds of job undertaken by men and women, as well as educational and lifestyle choices. Women may favour quality of life and job satisfaction over higher earnings. The author argues that complete equality of pay is impossible to achieve in a free society of any complexity. Men and women would need to be identical in their qualifications, choice of occupations, career plans and lifestyle choices. Thus policies that try to impose equality through tighter employment regulation are unlikely to have much impact, and such measures may damage the economic position of both men and women.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 128
Publisher: Institute of Economic Affairs
Published: 12 Nov 2008

ISBN 10: 0255366043
ISBN 13: 9780255366045

Author Bio
J. R. Shackleton is Professor of Economics at the University of Buckingham and Research and Editorial Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs. He studied economics at King's College, Cambridge and the School of Oriental and African Studies. He taught at Queen Mary University of London, has worked as an economist in the civil service and has been Dean of two business schools. A specialist in labour economics, he has published many books and academic articles and appeared frequently on radio and television.