Final answer:
The main causes of the wage gap, such as occupational segregation and gender discrimination, lead to pay disparities. Measures like equal pay legislation aim to combat this gap. Laws have reduced, but not eliminated, the gap, indicating persistent discrimination. Option b
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the major causes of the wage gap identified in textbooks, occupational segregation and gender discrimination are frequently highlighted. Occupational segregation refers to the concentration of different genders in different professions, often leading to unequal pay across industries.
For instance, historically female-dominated jobs like nursing or teaching tend to pay less than male-dominated fields like engineering or computer science. Gender discrimination occurs when women are paid less than men for doing the same job despite possessing similar qualifications, such as educational achievement, work experience, and expertise.
Contrary to the options suggested like equal pay legislation and gender-neutral job evaluations, these are actually measures designed to combat the wage gap, not causes of it.
Workplace flexibility can also be a double-edged sword; while it may help to retain workers who need a more adaptable schedule, it can also perpetuate the wage gap if women disproportionately take lower-paid, flexible jobs to manage work-life balance.
Laws against discrimination have made strides in reducing the wage gap, but it still persists. A Department of Labor study found that when controlling for factors like education and experience, the wage gap narrows but does not entirely vanish, indicating ongoing issues of gender discrimination.
Therefore, understanding and addressing the structural factors contributing to occupational segregation and taking measures against discriminatory practices remain critical challenges. Option b