The Gender Earnings Pay Gap: An International Comparison Between Norway and the United States

Does a gender earnings gap exist in Norway and the United States? Overtime, the male to female pay gap has reduced. As jobs have become more gender neutral and industrialized, males and females have been given equal rights to work. However, despite these seemingly dramatic generalizations, the pay between females and males has not equalized. It appears that a woman still faces significant obstacles to receive the same pay and respect that her male counterpart is awarded. To understand more about the gender pay gap, we must also understand the attitudes and behaviors in the work place. Adding this perspective as well analyzing the time in which a woman might be away from work to give attention to motherhood are all factors that may contribute to the gender earnings gap. Understanding these factors assist in the efforts to achieve wage equality and reduce wage differentials between males and females. A cross cultural analysis between the United States and Norway will provide additional valuable insights. The culture and economy in Norway present a stark difference to the United States. In order to better evaluate the problems and to define solutions for the earnings gap, it is essential to analyze an economy that inherently gives many more benefits to the working class.