As we all know, pay differences are a harsh reality for males and females. As most are aware, women get paid significantly less. Here are some statistics that come from Gamble & Gamble (265).
- The average woman would have to work ninety-one extra days in order to earn the same salary as the average man in a year.
- Women earn 72 cents for every dollar men earn.
- Women hold only 10 percent of executive board seats nationally.
Though this is true, it is rare we think professional athletes suffer from this reality, as well. Average, working class women are not the only ones affected by these pay differences. Female athletes face the same issue, they receive less benefits from their work and performance. I noticed a significant difference in how much money was awarded in male versus female golf tournaments.
Men: 7,500,000 U.S. Open (PGA Purse)
Women: 3,250,000 U.S. Women’s Open (LPGA Purse)
This difference in prize money does not make sense to me. It is almost as if the difference in money awarded indicates that the men are more deserving. This indicates that not only are the men considered to be better athletes, but that their performances have greater value. If these tournaments are supposed to be equivalents, then why is one gender favored over the other? From my perspective, I feel that stereotypes have highly influenced the pay of professional athletes. People typically believe it is the duty of men to bring home the money and provide for their families, so they are more in need. With women, it is assumed they are not working for the money, they have husbands that support them.
Gamble, T. K., & Gamble, M. W. (2003). The Gender Communication Connection. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company
(2009). PGA tour 2009 schedule. Retrieved June 17, 2009, from Yahoo! Sports Web site: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/schedule
(2009). 2009 tour schedule. Retrieved June 17, 2009, from LPGA Web site: http://www.lpga.com/content/LPGA_Schedule.pdf
