Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site vaxwaller.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!edsel!bentley!hoxna!houxm!mtuxo!mtunh!mtung!mtunf!ariel!vax135!timeinc!phri!pesnta!hplabs!intelca!qantel!vlsvax1!zehntel!varian!vaxwaller!susan From: susan@vaxwaller.UUCP (Susan Finkelman) Newsgroups: net.women,net.politics Subject: Re: Comparable worth Message-ID: <286@vaxwaller.UUCP> Date: Mon, 24-Jun-85 13:34:10 EDT Article-I.D.: vaxwalle.286 Posted: Mon Jun 24 13:34:10 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 2-Jul-85 05:21:52 EDT References: <482@ttidcc.UUCP> <8203@ucbvax.ARPA><457@unc.UUCP> <2126@ut-sally.UUCP> <393@umcp-cs.UUCP> Organization: Varian, Walnut Creek, CA Lines: 22 Xref: watmath net.women:6188 net.politics:9680 > Actually, the fallacy of comparable worth is that it ignores -- I hate to > say it -- supply and demand. Supply: especially, the regrettable facts > that women choose "women's work" jobs because 1) it is considered "women's > work", and thus social pressure moves women to take those jobs; 2) the > jobs may be considered "better" because it is assumed, rightly or wrongly, > that (e.g.) nursing serves humanity better than (e.g.) garbage collecting, > and women may (probably due to our culture) value compassion more than men; > 3) girls are discouraged from certain subjects (math) and encouraged to > do well in others; etc., etc., etc. > > Discrimination probably does cause part of the wage gap, but -- there must > be a better way. > --Paul V. Torek, Iconbuster-in-chief There seems to be an adequate supply of auto workers, who are paid very well. There always seem to be construction workers laid off, yet, they also are paid well. There is a growing shortage of grammar and high school teachers. Supply and demand is as simplistic as the rest of the arguments about men's & women's work. Susan Finkelman