The Associated Press reports on yet more evidence of wage discrimination against women. Data from the 2000 Census suggests that in profession after profession, women's wages lag seriously behind men's wages.
The entire article is written to promote the conclusion that wage discrimination is rampant. Only two sentences allow for a different interpretation:
Heidi Hartmann, president of the Institute for Women's Policy Research, said the disparity is in part due to women who interrupt their careers to have kids at a time while men continue to climb the salary ladder. When these mothers return to work, they often can't make up the loss in earnings, she said.
This is a significant however, but it is quickly forgotten in favor of additional suggestions of discrimination.
The data spinners omit yet another piece of information that could send the discrimination allegation down in flames. I would like the wage-gappers to answer the following question:
For each profession, what is the wage gap between men and women of comparable training and experience?
Hint: you won't find the answer to that in the Census.
UPDATE: Some media outlets are being even more dishonest about the study. The Lexington Herald Leader, for example, excerpts only the first half of the article, omitting altogether any mention of an alternative interpretation.
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