Even in higher education, women paid less than men

By: Courtney Jayne

Posted: 1/8/05

A woman and her husband come home from their jobs and set their paychecks on the table. The husband's check amount is almost a third larger than his wife's. They have worked the same amount of time, for the same school, both working as professors.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2004, women made about 74 cents to every dollar men made.

"For a while (the statistics for women) were going up (but) the past four years they have declined," Women's Studies Director Polly Radosh said.

In 2002, the Western Organization for Women executive board recorded information on the number of women and men who worked for Western Illinois University from 1984 to 2001. They studied the percentages and confirmed it would be a long time before America reaches gender equity.

In the 2003-2004 school year the amount of female professors, associate professors, assistant professors, lecturers and instructors total was 263, while the number of males added to 422. Radosh said she does not think there will be a change until more females start working and getting recognized.

The Guardian from the University of California in San Diego wrote of a woman professor's opinion of their university's problem. Biochemistry professor Katja Lindenberg said she thinks this is an individual problem, not a systematic one. Radosh disagrees.

"(America) has a male model of performance. Until we change the model, there will be no change," she said.

Radosh said there were many lawsuits against gender inequity in the workplace in the early 1980s.

"(These cases don't) usually make it into court often," Radosh added.

She added there are many issues that get in the way of a woman winning legal battles, which include issues on maternity leave and experience. Radosh agreed these are very good reasons which hold up well in court and very seldom do women win because of them.

However, Radosh also said Western does better than most universities. According to Radosh, the university bases a lot on rank, not the person, which seems to be working well.

Director for Women's Resources and Programs Janine Cavicchia said she still believes the stereotype of women staying at home is a big part of the issue.

"Some people still feel that way. It's not as strong as it used to be, but it still exists," she said.

Radosh said she believes that people who think this way are not being realistic. She added in today's economy men's salaries are declining and women have to step up and work, and unfortunately are pushed into unfair situations.

Radosh also gave her opinion on what women can do now.

"Women need to ask more questions in interviews," she said. She added she feels women are afraid to be pushy because then there is a probability of them not getting hired.

Ultimately, both she and Cavicchia believe it will be a long time before America sees a big change in gender equity.