A question that always arises when we talk about women performing the same tasks is: how different are men and women? And to what extent do these potential differences explain the wages we observe?
In general perception, the prevailing idea is that men and women are profoundly different, in part because they do . But can these choices be explained by differences in skills, preferences or psychological traits? Are salary differentials just a consequence of this? Or, on the contrary, are men and women similar in these dimensions, but face different opportunities and barriers that result in lower salaries for them?
There are studies that indicate that women are less confident and competitive. However, more recent research shows that much of this difference – for example, in confidence – stems from the widespread belief that women are less confident than men, rather than concrete evidence of a lack thereof.
In the same sense, psychologist Janet Hyde, in the article “The Gender Similarities Hypothesis”published in an American psychology journal, presents evidence that men and women are similar in most, although not all, psychological variables.
Their study results from the review of 46 articles. The author finds no significant differences between men and women in mathematical, verbal, self-esteem and leadership skills. The only consistent differences concern physical strength, motor skills, and propensity for physical aggression.
In this sense, academic studies show that women’s lower salaries, and less frequent career progressions, seem to result from different barriers and restrictions they face.
Cultural issues, such as responsibility for caring for children and household chores, largely explain the additional penalty imposed on women who are the main caregivers — mothers or caregivers for the elderly — in . There are even studies that show that fathers receive bonuses in the job market for having children, due to the perception of greater responsibility attributed to men who become fathers.
Professor Barbara Petrongolo (University of Oxford), during this year’s meeting of the Society for Family and Gender Economics (GeFam), held at IDP in Brasília, gave a talk bringing evidence from different parts of the world about how stereotypes persist and are difficult to change. Thus, cultural issues can be transmitted from generation to generation through families, schools, companies and society itself.
Stereotypes and social expectations are learned and therefore can also be unlearned or changed. Transforming culture is, after all, a collective effort that brings us closer to a future in which girls and boys can dream and achieve with the same freedom.
Breaking this cycle involves education, public policies and the way we evaluate the role of women and men in society. Encouraging girls to explore all areas of knowledge, fairly sharing care within families and promoting more equitable work environments are fundamental steps.
This column was written together with FEA/USP economics professor Paula Pereda.
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