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To ask if women should receive equal pay in the workforce is like asking whether all children deserve the right to a good education. Yes, women should be receiving equal pay as men, that is given the qualifications specific to the position are equal. I do believe impromptu assumptions can be made when a man makes more than a woman in a similar position, but we must be careful to notate such factors as experience and tenure. Given that, in such a day where egalitarianism has taken the stage, I am perplexed at the idea of having monetary inequality between the sexes. It seems unethical, and almost barbaric to deny a woman equal pay of her counterpart, her male counterpart.

This hot topic hits home to me, perhaps accounting for my passion on the subject. As a student I worked in a coffee shop. I started out at the bottom and worked my way up the corporate ladder. I was great at what I did, I knew it and so did my higher ups. What I didn't understand, and what really baffled me, was the fact that a coworker of mine who was promoted not too long ahead of me, male of course, was making about 15% more on his annual salary. I couldn't understand why in such a civilized company, one with an impressive mission statement where people were recognized and rewarded through merit, I was being treated unfairly? I not only knew as much as him, but I had tenure over him. I had been at that company longer, which in turn gave me more experience. I felt immediately discouraged, and very disappointed in this so called civilized company. So I took my rebellions elsewhere.

I am not sexist. I have a father, and a brother, lots of uncles, and a boyfriend, all of whom I adore. I wouldn't wish inequality on any of them. So why is it so easy for corporations and small business owners to pay women less? Is it because they value a mans work more than a woman's work? This notion bewilders me. A monetary value should be put on the position itself with some fluctuation based on experience and/or tenure. It should not be put on the gender of the employee that fills it. I find this to be a pretty reasonable request.

I am hopeful that one day pay differentials in relation to gender will cease to exist in the workforce. It is a regressive practice, one whose tactics aren't beneficial to our modern day society. Perhaps hiring managers should use better discretion when filling a position, choosing the candidate wisely, paying them what the position is worth, and not discriminating based on gender. Why this is an issue in the first place I will never know. Since when is it ok to discriminate? Since never in my book.

Learn more about this author, Meagan Macquarrie.
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