While doing research on a piece about the wage gap between women and men, I stumbled upon an interesting paper published last month. The study, which can be accessed here, analyzed the experiences of transgendered individuals in the workplace and the results are startling. Men who became women (MTFs) earned 31% less after their transition. On the other hand, women who became men (FTMs) gained about 10% in earnings following their transition.
Admittedly, the sample in this study isn’t very large- only about 50 respondents. Still, I think that the study offers some interesting observations about the way gender roles play out in the workplace.
…For many male-to-female workers, becoming a woman often brings a loss of authority, harassment, and termination, but that for many female-to-male workers, becoming a man often brings an increase in respect and authority. These findings challenge the omitted variables explanations for the gender pay gap and illustrate the often hidden and subtle processes that produce gender inequality in workplace outcomes.
The larger point being made here is that MTFs have far greater difficulties with their transition, mostly because of our screwed-up conception of what it means to be a woman. Particularly relevant here is the tendency to sexualize and objectify MTFs, as documented by trans activist Julia Serano. In light of this study, it’s easy to attribute the persistent wage gap to ingrained sexism. But, I’m not sure it’s as easy as that. Certainly, sexist attitudes continue to devalue the kinds of work traditionally performed by women. But, personally speaking, I think that the wage gap continues to persist because we don’t want to believe that it exists. So, we attempt to rationalize the wage gap by claiming that women are concentrated in industries that are low-paying or that women aren’t as ambitious as men or lack salary negotiating skills. The truth is, there is no evidence to back up these claims.
What, then, is causing the wage gap and can legislation fix it? On the former, I remain skeptical that sexism alone can account for the persistent wage gap. We can acknowledge this and still work to promote legislation that makes the workplace more welcoming for women, through the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and better child-care policies. Interestingly, I should note that the wage gap has been steadily decreasing but this is a function of men’s wages dropping, not women’s wages increasing. Looks like we’re all heading towards a race to the bottom.
-Indira
