Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that with the rise of overall wages in America, there still remains a great amount of discrepancy in the wage equality between men and women. The writer notes that data shows that in the 1970s to the 1990s, the marriage age increased, as did the income inequality between men and women. The writer maintains that it is likely that these two issues are linked, for without one, there is little chance that there will be another. The writer concludes that the rising wageinequality has resulted in an unwillingness for women to marry, and will result in a propensity for the marriage age to continue to increase.
From the Paper "For many years, males were seen as the primary breadwinners for the household. They were the ones who would leave the home each morning, head off to work, and spend their day trying to make ends meet for their family. Their entire life was structured around their work schedule, and their family was merely an accommodation to that schedule. As the primary wage earner, men were also in a position of greater equality with other men. They were able to work on a relatively level playing field that focused on skills, ability, and education as the keys to success.
"Women were not so lucky in this timeline. As their husbands went off to work, they were left at home to maintain the family. It is not a bad thing that this is the case, for many women have found a tremendous amount of fulfillment from raising a family. However, these women did not have any other options."
Abstract This paper briefly examines how the wage gap is caused by racial discrimination factors. It discusses two different theories on this matter; one refers to rational choice as a cause of wageinequality, while the other believes the wage gap results from societal discrimination.
From the Paper "Racial discrimination is prevalent at the lower ends of the labor market, which results in a concentrated representation of racial minorities in poverty. There are substantial gaps in rates of poverty across race, which could be attributed to discrimination. The gap in average incomes between whites and non-whites is $24,000, and unemployment rates for Whites, Hispanics and Blacks are approximately 4%, 6% and 8% respectively, according to Schiller."
Abstract The following essay argues that gender issues with regards to wage equality in the American society still exist today. The author argues that although women have interrupted careers in order to tend to family matters, organizations have no right to lower the female's wages because of potential pregnancy or family matters.
From the paper:
"The fact that women often have interrupted careers in order to raise children or tend to family matters, as a reason for their lower pay. Using this logic we can assume that some people feel women are less reliable as well, for they fear women may have to leave their jobs in order to care for family or children. While some women do indeed leave their jobs to care for family only to return later, this should not be a factor in determining pay for women with equal skills to that of a man (Stewart, Prandy et al. 1980) ."
Abstract This research investigates the wage structure in the Japanese labor market, with a focus on differentiation in wages and determination mechanisms based on developments in the Japanese economy in the 1980s and 1990s. Wageinequality with regard to skills levels, and to gender are discussed. Recommendations and solutions to the problem of wage differentials are made.
Abstract This paper examines the housing industry from an economic perspective. Various factors that affect housing are considered, such as the impact of price elasticity on the housing market and supply and demand. The author also explores other issues such as wageinequality and inflation. The author concludes by citing the economy's overall influence on the housing industry.
Price Elasticity
Negative and Positive Externalizes
WageInequality Monetary and Fiscal Policies
From the Paper "There are several factors that can influence the housing industry economically. Supply and demand coupled with price elasticity can affect the housing industry. Negative and positive externalities, wage inequality, and the monetary and fiscal policies can all have substantial affect the industry of new homes. It must also be determined exactly how the economy affects the industry in both positive and negative ways."
Abstract The paper discusses shifts and price elasticity of supply and demand, positive and negative externalities, wageinequality and monetary and fiscal policies and their impact on the coal mining industry. The paper predicts that coal production will likely rise while worker pay and employment in the coal mining industry will shrink in the next decade.
Outline:
Shifts and Price Elasticity of Supply and Demand
Positive and Negative Externalities
WageInequality Monetary and Fiscal Policies
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The coal mining industry in the United States is comprised of approximately 1,000 companies operating approximately 1,500 mines, with approximate combined annual revenue of $25 billion. Some of the larger producers are Peabody Energy, Arch Coal and Massey Energy. Over the past decade, the coal mining industry has become greatly consolidated and presently sixty-five percent of the market is owned by approximately ten companies with each company operating a single coalmine with the size of the mines varying a great deal. Larger operations produce over 1 million tons of coal annually. According to Hoover's website in the work entitled: "Industry Overview: Coal Mining" "Demand comes mainly from generators of electricity. Profitability depends on efficient operations, as the product is a commodity sold on the basis of price." (2008) "
Abstract The paper discusses the elasticity of supply and demand, positive and negative externalities, wageinequalities and monetary and fiscal policies. The paper then evaluates how the economy affects the success of this industry and identifies the economic influences that can affect the industry in a negative way.
Outline:
Introduction
Elasticity of Supply and Demand
Positive and Negative Externalities
WageInequality How the Economy Affects the Airlines
Economic Influences which Can Affect the Industry in a Negative Way
From the Paper "This paper covers the airline industry in the United States, with some of the lessons learned since the start of deregulation in the 1970's to today. The airline's overall economics have changed significantly, from a government-controlled oligopoly to a free-for-all in which different airlines choose different economic strategies. Government regulation still plays a key economic role by limiting the participation of foreign investors and airlines, as well as the control on 'fifth freedoms,' which will be dealt with in this paper.
"It is this author's contention that the current airline industry is still in a state of disequilibrium which will be addressed through mergers and bankruptcies, and that a multi-tier service offering and consumer group segmentation will continue to drive competitors' strategies in different directions."
Abstract The paper explain why the economic environment of the airline industry is a difficult one in which to operate. The paper examines the elasticity of supply and demand in the airline industry, the positive and negative externalities that affect the airline industry, how the government affects the industry through monetary and fiscal policy and wageinequality in the industry. The paper points out, however, that despite the difficult economics of the industry, new competitors consistently enter the field in the hopes of carving out some of the profits that can be had during economic upswings.
Outline:
Introduction
Elasticity of Supply & Demand
Impact of Externalities
Monetary and Fiscal Policy
WageInequality
From the Paper "The economic environment of the airline industry is a difficult one in which to operate. The industry is faced with stiff competition, high fixed costs, low differentiation, easy availability of substitutes and low cost of switching. As a result, few airlines are able to maintain consistent profitability.
"Airlines are typically highly-leveraged. This makes them very sensitive to externalities. They tend to see cyclical profitability. In times when externalities are generally positive, they make healthy profits; in times where externalities are generally negative, most airlines will lose money."
Abstract This essay serves to examine the wageinequalities between men and women in the modern day workforce. It references two specific examples of gender discrimination; Ann Hopkins? suit against Price Waterhouse in 1982 and Muriel Kraszewski's suit against State Farm. The author also explains in detail the ramifications of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which attempts to protect the rights of women who work in the same jobs as men.
From the Paper "In order to fully gain equal employment and fairness, traditionally male positions must be opened to females. This is the only way to shatter the glass walls and ceilings that are so prevalent in today's society. Many women have fought discrimination and improved their own lives and the lives of countless other women over the span of several generations. The first step in creating equality in the workplace is to inform women of their rights. The next step is for these women to exercise their rights. Women can no longer allow themselves to be excluded from the workforce. Individuals concerned about equality should press for the continuation and strengthening of better paying jobs for women, and this support must not come from women alone. In order for our society to foster this change, we must understand why these changes are necessary. Society requires that men and women work together and this is not likely to change. What must change is the way that we work together. "
Abstract This paper discusses the growing wage disparity in America. It cites earnings figures of Americans in the last two decades and notes a decline in the earnings of poor Americans, but a rise in the earnings of wealthy Americans. The paper also discusses the general attitude Americans maintain toward this inequality, its causes, and government policies that were designed to respond to the problem.
From the Paper "In the preceding two decades the United States has faced an amazing augment in inequality. The earnings of poor Americans minimized and those of the middle class festered while the revenue of the wealthiest families sustained to rise. The welfare of families up and about and along the income scale has augmented over the past five years, but the common earnings of the deprived Americans lingers well under where it was at the conclusion of the 1970s (Patrice, 1999)."
Abstract The paper examines the differences in the savings patterns, wealth accumulation and home ownership between black and white individuals and explores through a literature review the social policies or solutions that have been historically focused on the inequality of wealth between blacks and whites. The paper finds that policy reform has been successful in some areas, however, there are still many barriers to home ownership and equal wages in the workplace for minority workers.
Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of Study
Significance of Study
Methodology
Literature Review
Findings of Study
Conclusion
Recommendations
From the Paper "The work of Freeman and Hamilton entitled: "The Changing Determinants of Inter-racial Home Ownership Disparities: New York City in the 1990s" relates that a significant change in policy concerning home ownership took place in the 1990s toward reduction of the disparities relating to home ownership between white individual and those of minority races. Specifically stated in the work of Freeman and Hamilton is that home ownership "has long been symbolic of the American dream, but for many non-whites, home ownership has been a dream deferred." (2004) Evidence of this, according to Freeman and Hamilton, may be seen in the existing gaps in home ownership differences between whites and non-whites. "
Abstract In this article, the writer explores the female-wage differential in Canada by focusing on the empirical research and methodological structures used to explain what accounts for the wage differential. More importantly the paper focuses on the literature that has explained this trend and how the literature has changed or incorporated analytical tools that are useful to the overall theoretical framework of female-wage differentials in Canada. The paper is organized to present empirical studies that differ in terms of modeling frameworks and with a focus on methodological differences throughout the literature. The writer concludes that even though as time progresses the female-male wage differential narrows in Canada, it is still a persistent problem and the literature will continue to change and use new methods to estimate and understand the female-male wage differential.
Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review: General Overview
Empirical Studies and Development
Comprehensive Analysis from Drolet
Conclusion
From the Paper "Many studies that focus on the Canadian labor market focus on the factors that affect the human capital investment in that environment, but the theoretical development is still based on the human capital explanation.
"There is extensive literature that uses the auspices of the marginal revenue productivity theory to explain how differences between men and women as it relates to education, experience, hours of work, occupation, and other institutional or structural factors affect the female-wage differential. This type of analysis has been used to explain country or region specific wage differentials because of the use of large cross-sectional data sets that can determine differences in the labor force composition within that particular country or region."
"Typically the female-wage differential models have focused on estimating different functions for males and females."
Abstract The paper discusses how the policy regarding a minimum wage has evoked considerable debate in recent times between the conservatives and the liberals. The paper examines the four main arguments forwarded by the supporters and opponents of minimum wage increase. The paper is of the opinion that the minimum wage law is one of the proven tools that can help to lift a significant proportion of the population above the poverty line. The paper strongly contends that it is the duty of the government to protect the most vulnerable sections of society and prevent the unequal distribution of incomes.
Outline:
Introduction
Arguments For and Against the Minimum Wage Law
Conclusion
From the Paper "The need for a minimum wage law was felt largely due to the plight of the low-wage workers, especially women and children, who were forced to work in appalling conditions and for ridiculously low wages in the early decades after the Industrial Revolution. Unscrupulous employers ruthlessly exploited poorer workers by paying wages that were insufficient for meeting the necessities of life. In the United States, a widespread belief in the benefits of a laissez faire economy and suspicion against governmental interference prevented the adoption of a minimum wage law for a long time. However, cruel exploitation of workers by their employers during a superficial economic boom in the 1920s created dangerous levels of economic inequality, which was further worsened by the Great Depression."
Abstract This paper identifies how the automotive industry is affected by the economy, especially in light of the ever-increasing cost of oil. The paper reviews the relevant literature to determine the automotive industry price elasticity of supply and demand, the negative and positive externalities produced by the industry, how wageinequality is measured and its current presence in the industry and monetary and/or fiscal policies that serve to affect the automotive industry. The paper relates that during periods of economic downturns, American consumers will increasingly demand more fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles and will buy fewer new vehicles.
Outline:
Review and Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "As the average price of gasoline tops $4.00 a gallon across the country, it is little wonder that an increasing amount of attention has been paid to the automotive industry recently. Today, an increasing number of consumers are demanding that the industry become more responsive to the growing energy crisis facing the country and develop vehicles that are more fuel efficient and less costly to maintain. While the pundits continue to debate the respective efficacies of various alternative fuel approaches and the need for more domestic production, it is clear that these trends are going to continue for the foreseeable future and the cost of oil will just keep rising for the next decade or so - at least. In this environment, identifying how the automotive industry is affected by the economy assumes new relevance and importance and this topic forms the thesis of this study."
Abstract This paper examines affirmative action and its impact upon the wage gap found among various groups. While the initiative has met with some success, it is evident that various groups continue to lag behind. The paper looks at the advances that have taken place in recent decades as well as at the areas - mostly in enforcing compliance - where it appears affirmative action is not eliminating workplace discrimination. The paper also suggests that corporate cultures need to change. Finally, it concludes by offering a solution to the enforcement issues plaguing affirmative action in America.
From the Paper "Interestingly, just as the different groups of women comprising the female population in America gain from affirmative action at a different rate when it comes to pay increases, some scholars argue that affirmative action really works best in industries that have a high incidence of federal contracts or in industries that, because of their high growth rates, invite more government reviews. In other industries, it appears as though the rate of compliance is not quite so high because the extent of government review and involvement is less significant (Walker, 2000). Evidently, the manner and degree of discrimination can only be sharply reduced through rigorous government oversight; simply having federal legislation in place is insufficient to reduce discrimination if those laws will not be strictly enforced. "
