Analysing the components of the gender pay gap in the u.k (year 2003) Dissertation

Analysing the components of the gender pay gap in the u.k (year 2003) - Dissertation Example The reasons why the gap exist and persist, can be attributed to the social and psychological efforts of men as well as women; men have consistently throughout the ages traditionally seen women in specific roles. Statistics show that  ¾ of working women are still found in five occupational groups and in the five c’s- caring, cleaning, catering, cashiering, clerical and child care. Jobs which are classified as women’s work command lower wages than men’s work even when they require similar qualification levels, leading to inequalities in pay and income. (Sex stereotyping in education and work-Investigation; free to choose-tackling gender barriers to better jobs) Up until the 18th century in the UK, when a girl left home, she did so to become someone’s wife. She left her father’s house with her mothers recipes and wisdom, which would fortify her to care for her husband and her children. Neither was she allowed nor was she expected to accept employment outside of the home. The attitude of most men was duly espoused by Queen Victoria and accepted by the Church of England, concerning the subject of female employment when she said; a woman is not to compete with a man for employment, she is to do the work which God intended her to do; a wife to her husband and a mother to her children.