The gap between the earnings of males and females in the UnitedStates appears to be closing, according to statistics released bythe U.S. Census Bureau in 2002. The same is true at The Universityof Memphis.
U of M statistics reveal tenured female professors received onaverage $3,707 less in income compared to tenured male professorsin 2003. The difference in 2001, however, was $7,534.
Recently, U of M President Shirley Raines organized a facultycommittee to analyze and correct any gender income inequity oncampus.
"Dr. Raines and The University take this issue very seriously,"said David Cox, executive assistant to the president. "We need toidentify the source of inequity. It could be blatant -- it could besubtle."
When looking at the statistics, people should consider all thefactors that affect income among male and female professors, Coxsaid. Because men comprised the majority of graduate schoolgraduates in the '50s and '60s, men who have stayed in highereducation have had more chances for promotion, resulting in payincreases. Consequently, female professors who take long periods ofmaternity leave slow their chances for promotion.
Pay differences also exist by department and according to aperson's level of experience and education. Thus, when people lookat the numbers across the board, male professors seem to make moremoney, Cox said.
Attitudes among women could be affecting their ability tocompete with men financially, said Sharon Bynum, U of M historyprofessor.
"Women think that in a way, they shouldn't be paid as wellbecause they tend to take more time off for dealing with familyissues," Bynum said. "Because of this attitude, I think womenhesitate to negotiate for a better salary. That has placed a lesservalue on women's abilities to transcend the 'glass ceiling.'"
The gender income gap at The U of M appears to be closing fasterthan the national rate. On the national level, male professors made$11,417 more than female professors in 2001, according to theNational Center for Education Statistics. Also, some U of M femaleassociate professors earned slightly more than their malecounterparts in 2002 and 2003.
"I do think pay has gotten better, but it still isn't enough,"Bynum said. "There are still sharp discrepancies between thesalaries of men and women, even at the professional level. I thinkgiven time and women's push for equality in the workplace, it willget better. Women have to realize that they have the power tonegotiate for what they deserve."
