What are the explanations for gender inequality?
There are many different reasons for gender inequality.
Reasons for gender inequality
Explanations for gender inequality include:
- societal expectations
- attitudes
- discrimination
What are the societal expectations of women?
Stereotyping exists in society. Women are more likely to be ‘encouraged’ into caring professions such as nursing or childcare, while men are more likely to take employment in engineering or computing, areas that tend to pay higher wages.
In 2022, the ONS reported that a higher share of men (13%) were working as managers, directors or senior officials, than women (8%). Men also had a higher share of associate professional and technical occupations. However, women had a higher share of professional occupations at 27%, compared to 26% of men. ( Source: House of Commons Library)
UK women in selected employment by industry 2022
| Employment by industry | Millions |
| Health and social work | 3.5 |
| Wholesale and retail | 2.3 |
| Education | 2.2 |
| Professional, scientific, technical | 1.6 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1.4 |
| Admin and support services | 1.4 |
| Employment by industry | Health and social work |
|---|---|
| Millions | 3.5 |
| Employment by industry | Wholesale and retail |
|---|---|
| Millions | 2.3 |
| Employment by industry | Education |
|---|---|
| Millions | 2.2 |
| Employment by industry | Professional, scientific, technical |
|---|---|
| Millions | 1.6 |
| Employment by industry | Accommodation and food services |
|---|---|
| Millions | 1.4 |
| Employment by industry | Admin and support services |
|---|---|
| Millions | 1.4 |
Attitudes towards women
There is some evidence that men and women have different aspirations in life. It has been argued that men are more likely to be career-orientated and that the pursuit of wealth and power drives men more to the top of their profession. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to seek 'emotional fulfilment', ie to have a life that satisfies in broader terms.
Discrimination against women
Despite government legislation, women continue to experience lower rates of pay and poorer employment opportunities.
In surveys, many women state they have missed out on promotion or career-enhancing experiences, particularly during pregnancy or when taking maternity leave or a career break, when their children were young. However, women are protected by law against unfair treatment and dismissal while pregnant.
In 2019, Glasgow City Council agreed to pay compensation to women after an equal pay claim. This related to paying discriminatory bonus to employees working in traditionally 'male roles', that were denied to women carrying out different, but comparable work and cost the council £770m. (Source: BBC News)
In 2023, it was widely reported that councils across the UK were facing thousands of equal pay compensation claims which would need billions of pounds to settle. From Birmingham City Council which had a £760m claim alone, which was part of the reason why the council declared itself bankrupt in September 2023, to councils in Coventry, Cumberland, Dundee and Fife, unions were taking councils to court over historic failures to ensure equal pay for women. Some private companies are now also facing equal pay compensation claims.
