Why Men Earn More: The Startling Truth Behind the Pay Gap -- and What Women Can Do About It - Hardcover

Farrell, Warren

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0814472109 ISBN 13: 9780814472101

Publisher: AMACOM, 2005

Synopsis

Controversial and exhaustively researched, gender expert Warren Farrell's latest book Why Men Earn More takes as its stunning argument the idea that bias-based unequal pay for women is largely a myth, and that women are most often paid less than men not because they are discriminated against, but because they have made lifestyle choices that affect their ability to earn.Why Men Earn More argues that while discrimination sometimes plays a part, both men and women unconsciously make trade-offs that affect how much they earn. Farrell clearly defines the 25 different workplace choices that affect women's and men's incomes -- including putting in more hours at work, taking riskier jobs or more hazardous assignments, being willing to change location, and training for technical jobs that involve less people contact -- and provides readers with specific, research-supported ways for women to earn higher pay. Why Men Earn More, with its brashness in the face of political correctness, is sure to ignite a storm of media controversy that will help to make this thoroughly pragmatic exposÂŽ Warren Farrell's next bestseller.

About this title

About the Author

Warren Farrell, Ph.D. (Carlsbad, CA) is an internationally esteemed expert on gender issues, and the only man to have been elected three times to the board of directors of the National Organization for Women (NOW) in New York City. Financial Times named Dr. Farrell one of the world's leading thought leaders. He has been interviewed by Larry King, Peter Jennings, and Barbara Walters, and has appeared many times on nationally syndicated TV shows such as Oprah, Donahue, and CNN's Sonya Live. He is the author of many books, including the bestsellers Why Men are the Way They Are and The Myth of Male Power.

From the Inside Flap

For every dollar earned by men, women earn 76 cents. The exact figure may vary, but such a statistic would seem to bear out the idea of a "pay gap" the idea that women earn substantially less money than men. But if men are paid more than women for the same work, why would anyone ever hire a man? Warren Farrell asked himself that question, and pondered whether the assumption of unequal pay for equal work was really valid. Now, following years of research, he presents his surprising (and perhaps unsettling) answer that women almost always have exactly the same opportunities as men, but make choices that keep them from earning more.

Why Men Earn More boldly and methodically debunks traditional assumptions, and investigates the implications of the trade-offs that both men and women make. Pinpointing 25 choices we make in our professional lives, Dr. Farrell unlocks the door to greater earnings and career success as well as to a happier, more balanced life.

"Once again Warren Farrell has shed light on an important and often misunderstood issue. This light empowers the reader to use the new insights to make better choices to create the life and results they truly desire."
Jack Canfield, Co-creator, Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work® and The Success Principles

"As usual, Warren replaces mythology with cool, clear reasoning. On this journey into workplace/gender issues, he speaks his truths clearly and with compassion. Who wouldn't gain from this book?!"
Susan Deitz, syndicated columnist; author, Single File: How to Live Happily Forever After With or Without Prince Charming

"As usual, Warren Farrell has done a masterful job of making statistics readable a great source book for anyone interested in understanding the real reasons Why Men Earn More!"
Nancy Friday, author, Men in Love and Women on Top

"This book is so good that I ll guarantee it personally. If you are unhappy with it for any reason, just return it to me with your sales receipt and I will send you a prompt refund in full."
Martin Edelston, Founder, Bottom Line/Personal

"Warren Farrell presents us with astonishing facts in this well-documented book! It will dispel so many hurtful myths that keep women stuck in the powerlessness of a victim mentality. An important read for both women and men alike."
Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., author, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway and Embracing Uncertainty

Reviews

Why do men earn more than women? Because they deserve to, argues this contrarian challenge to feminist conventional wisdom. Men work longer hours at more dangerous and disagreeable jobs. They more readily accept night shifts, hardship postings to Alaska and entrepreneurial risks. Men get in-demand degrees in engineering, while women get degrees in French literature. Female librarians earn less than garbagemen, not because of discrimination, but because so many applicants compete for the safe, clean, comfortable, convenient, fulfilling jobs women prefer. Indeed, the author insists, statistics show that women and men with equal experience and qualifications, doing the same job, for the same hours, under the same conditions-get paid the same. Farrell, author of The Myth of Male Power, usefully points women towards high-paying, male-dominated fields that are becoming female friendly and suggests that ambitious women marry stay-at-home husbands. But he considers men the real victims, taken advantage of because of their innate chivalry and social expectations that they trade earning power for love and sex and be "willing to die to support the wives and children." He decries anti-male discrimination in occupations like teaching, nursing and cocktail-waitressing, and pillories comparable worth initiatives as "spoiled-brat economics." A whole chapter is devoted to "genetic celebrities"-i.e., beautiful women (exemplified in photos of same) whom men shower with free dinners, gifts and home repairs and who "marry up" into cushy lifestyles paid for by workaholic husbands. Ostensibly a road-map to workplace equality, Farrell's portrait of pampered, ungrateful women and stoic, self-sacrificing men may strike some readers as an unhelpful caricature.
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Edition details

• Publisher: AMACOM
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0814472109
• ISBN 13: 9780814472101
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288