Should Government Address the Gender Wage Gap?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What factors influence how much someone is paid? Why do women earn less than men?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the government should enact more policies to close the gender pay gap. The issue is timely because women are working longer hours and pursuing higher levels of education in greater numbers, but they still earn less in wages on average than men.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Rosa DeLauro is a member of Congress working on policies to close the pay gap. Rachel Greszler analyzes economic issues on behalf of a conservative think tank.) 

• Analyze DeLauro’s view. (DeLauro argues for more governmental policies to close the wage gap. She claims that loopholes allow companies to underpay women and that women, especially mothers and women of color, often don’t have the same opportunities as men.)

• Analyze Greszler’s view. (Greszler argues against a need for government involvement. She cites a Payscale survey that shows that, when all factors are controlled for, women tend to make about the same as men but instead prioritize family responsibilities over career growth. She also notes policies that have failed to close the wage gap.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should government address the gender wage gap? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate. 

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.