Another year, another Time Use survey from the Department of Labor - and another eyebrow-raising revelation that men log more hours at work than women.
Those who argue both genders receive equal pay for equal work, once you control for choice, often point to the annual report , which breaks down how Americans pass their days.
Since 2003, when government researchers started collecting the data, men have reported devoting more life to paid labor than their female counterparts. In 2015, employed men recorded working an average 42 minutes per day longer than employed women. Women, meanwhile, said they spent more time on housework: 2.6 hours, compared to the men's 2.1 hours.
"This difference partly reflects women's greater likelihood of working part time," the authors explained.
"However, even among full-time workers (those usually working 35 hours or more per week), men worked longer than women-8.2 hours compared with 7.8 hours."
Maybe that's why the average wages for a working woman in the United States comes out to be 79 cents for every dollar paid to the typical working man, some say. Writes Charlotte Hays for the Independent Women's Forum, a right-leaning think tank in the nation's capital:
"We definitely are against pay discrimination on the basis of gender, but it still should be observed that this data runs counter to the equal pay for equal work movement: This data shows that women and men take different roles in the workplace - and these choices should be factored into any claims about a gender wage gap."
She's not wrong. But nothing about the gender wage gap is simple, as much as experts on both sides of the ideological aisle would like it to be. Economists say the controversial figure isn't a product of pure job decision or discrimination; it's likely a blend of both, plus a dose of societal conditioning and pressure.
Let's start with a few massive caveats in the Labor Department's report. First, the researchers asked each respondent to log their own time. Nobody submitted manager-approved work hours, and research tells us one of sexes generally tends to overestimate. Secondly, the survey didn't measure productivity or efficiency. Workaholism isn't necessarily a sign of value.
Onto the anatomy of the female paycheck: Cornell University researchers Francine Kahn and Lawrence Blau, who've looked at the wage gap for years, found in a 2015 study that chunks of the gender wage gap can be attributed to industry choice (17.6 percent) and occupation choice (32.9 percent). We know that women often concentrate in lower-paying roles, while men gravitate toward higher-paying fields, such as technology and finance. (Whether those realms are hostile toward women remains a topic of hot debate.)
Another 38 percent of the gap, however, remains unexplained.
Blau and Kahn chalk this up to potential discrimination, conscious or not. Perhaps an employer is inclined to pick a man over an equally qualified woman for a promotion, assuming he'd work harder. Perhaps a woman loses out on a prestigious role because a manager fears she may soon get pregnant . Perhaps she's perceived as too severe when a male applicant appears confident.
In one 2005 study , Carnegie Mellon economist Linda Babcock showed people clips of men and women asking for a raise, following the same script. Male viewers deemed the men's negotiating style smooth, while women using identical words registered as too demanding.
Women aren't born with an innate desire to, say, do the dishes while her partner works - just as men don't come into this world with the instinct to work 50 hours each week as a banker while his partner bonds with the kids. But unpaid labor has long disproportionately fallen on women's shoulders.
Women worldwide spend an average of 4.5 hours each day on unpaid work - cooking, cleaning, feeding the baby. Men devote less than half that much time, according to the OECD.
In the United States, women now financially support 40 percent of homes and tend to take on more domestic chores. They typically spend two hours and 12 minutes on daily housework, while men invest about one hour and 21 minutes into the home.
In an open letter earlier this year, Melinda Gates offered her explanation of the labor division, arguing that no person should feel compelled to fit their stereotypical gender roles - everyone should pursue the life they want, be it work or home-centric.
''This isn't a global plot by men to oppress women,'' Gates wrote. ''It's more subtle than that. The division of work depends on cultural norms, and we call them norms because they seem normal - so normal that many of us don't notice the assumptions we're making. But your generation can notice them - and keep pointing them out until the world pays attention.''
The Washington Post
Thu Jun 30 2016
Men have reported devoting more life to paid labor than their female counterparts.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.