That last post was by Kaitlyn Wechsler

Fair Pay Act

This is a response to Mia's question. I think that the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act does in some ways affect the future of feminism, however I think that it is more a step in the right direction for women. I do not think that feminism will no longer be needed because this is just one of the ways in which women are discriminated against in society. Whether it is intentional or not, women are looked down upon even if it is in the slightest bit. People don't mean to, but it is something that has been happening for years and will continue to happen for years to come. It will take a lot of effort by women to become completely equal, but this is definitely a good starting point.

To answer Mia's question...

(BTW...im posting this a second time, not sure if the first way i did it worked)
To answer Mia's Question,

Feminist Theory, as described in our text "focuses on the inequality and power imbalances between men and women, and analyzes subordination, for the purpose of figuring out how to change it."(Seccombe,2008.p.16) The passing of Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act affect the future of feminism clearly changed the inequality in our society between men and women, since power and social status so much depend on a person’s income, which correlates with our social class.
The Act will produce great support for women, especially women who may struggle as widows, or single mothers, and have dependents. Obama's decision to pass this act models to society and even the world the importance of equality. Treating all persons equally on ALL matters despite of sex is a prerogative. With this act, the culturally and socially constructed ideas of gender will have to shift to a new and deserved way of thinking.
Feminism is certainly a powerful and critical theory to inforce. Although this Act was passed, unfortunately there are still many issues to be dealt with to instill equality between men and women in our society. Activism in realms such as: how sexually active women “should” be, compared to men, or Women’s “opportunities” of promotion at the workplace, to those compared to men; this list can go on forever, especially when focusing on equality in the world, not just America.
-Sabina Medvinsky

Response

I believe that the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act being passed is a step forward in women's rights. Now women will be able to get paid as much as men for doing equal jobs. This law was passed because women were strong and stood up for their feminist beliefs. I do not think that women should stop standing up for their feminists beliefs at this time, though. I think that this law being passed should be encouragement to women to keep fighting for equal rights.
Taylor

The Saga of Lilly Ledbetter

 

History of the Case:

In 1998, Lily Ledbetter, a newly retired plant worker for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, decided to investigate and later prosecute against her long time employer due to gender pay discrimination. After working at the Goodyear , she received an anonymous note in her company mailbox. The note listed her salary and the salaries of three men who worked the same job as she did. Initially, when Ledbetter started working at Goodyear in 1979, she was receiving the same pay as the men she worked alongside, but through the years and salary raises by the time she reached retirement she was receiving about $559 less per month than the lowest paid men and $1509 per month than the highest paid men!

 

Court Proceedings:

Lilly Ledbetter, after finding out that she was receiving unequal pay, decided to file charges against Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. She filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). She went to the lower court, suing Goodyear using the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963. The lower court allowed her to sue based on the Civil Rights Act, but not the Equal Pay Act of 1963. She claimed that Goodyear was treating her unequally based on her gender; Goodyear replied that their pay system was non-discriminatory and based upon worker competence. Ledbetter was denied because according to the EEOC, she could only sue within 180 days of her beginning the EEOC process. This means she had 180 days to sue from her first paycheck, not when she found out 20 years later.

 

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

After the Supreme Court ruled against Ledbetter, Rep. George Miller of California introduced the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in June 2007.  It was passed in the House, but defeated in the Senate. Why would anyone oppose something called the “Fair Pay Act”? Who would vote against fair and equal pay for everyone? Senate Republicans, who said that this would cause frivolous lawsuits. Even Governor Sarah Palin was against the bill, saying it would be a “boon for trial lawyers,” but insisting that her and Sen. John McCain were “all for equal pay for equal work.” 

      The bill was re-introduced at The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 by Sen. Barbara Miluski of Maryland in January 2009.  The vote passed the Senate, then the House.

      The bill was then up for consideration from President Barack Obama. He had supported Lilly Ledbetter throughout his candidacy, and he chose this bill to be the first piece of legislation he would sign as President. He signed the bill into law on January 29, 2009.

      Unfortunately, this bill does not extend the statute of limitations for as long as Lilly Ledbetter and Congress Democrats intended it to. It only extends it for another 180 days, which would mean that the entire statute of limitations equals 360 days, or just short of one year. Congress attempted to update the law to extend the time, but the Bush White House and Senate Republicans blocked the legislation in the last session of Congress. However, the 360-day statute of limitations starts at the last discriminatory paycheck.

 

Relevance to Sociology of Family:

Women currently make 77 cents to the male dollar on average, which desperately needs to change. Even in professions dominated by women, men make substantially more money. Minority women also make less than white women. Women and single mothers are more likely to be in poverty than men.

  Large-scale change from the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act won’t be immediate. Hopefully with the threat of possible lawsuits, employers will fall in line, and pay men and women equally. The Act is a step in the right direction, but much work must be done to ensure that women are being paid equally, without exception.

  As Obama claims, “Equal pay is by no means just a women's issue -- it's a family issue”. With equal pay, there would be more money for the family. Many costs are associated with raising children. Health care, food (hopefully nutritional), school supplies, college, gas, books, toys, and extracurricular activities are some of the expenses. Many families can only afford the bare minimum, especially in our current economic times. Equal pay would eliminate some of the financial strain. 

 

Questions: Please respond to one of us in the comments section. (Make sure you identify who you're responding to).

 

Rachel’s Question:

Do you think that the court was being discriminatory towards Ledbetter when they said she should have filed suit within 180 days of her first paycheck instead of from the 180 days she found out the difference in pay? If not, do you feel that this part of the bill was unfair to everyone?

 

Mia’s Question:

How will the passing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act affect the future of feminism? Does the Act contribute to the notion that feminism is no longer needed?

 

Bonnie’s Question:

How has unequal pay between the genders influenced you or someone you know? Has unequal pay affected your family in any way, or do you think it will affect you and your family in the future?

 

Rhyanna’s Question:

Do you think employers will now change their discriminatory pay practices? If yes, how do you think this change will affect families in the future?