Final answer:
The gap between women's and men's average wages can result from gender discrimination in the labor market. Comparable worth policies argue for equal compensation for work requiring comparable skills, responsibilities, and effort. Gender discrimination occurs when employers pay women less than men for comparable levels of education, experience, and expertise.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gap between women's and men's average wages can result from gender discrimination in the labor market. Employers paying women less than men for comparable levels of education, experience, and expertise indicates gender discrimination. Comparable worth policies argue that women should be compensated equally for work requiring comparable skills, responsibilities, and effort, even if the specific job may be different from a man's job.