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The Cost Of Being Female:Rejoinder To Sayers

Author

Listed:
  • Walter E. Block

    (Joseph A. Butt, S.J. College of Business, Loyola University New Orleans)

Abstract

A number of economists maintain that (discounted marginal revenue) productivity determines wages; since women have less of this characteristic than do men, on average, their wages are lower. This is not necessarily because of any intrinsic “failure” on the part of females. Rather, it stems in large part from the fact that they do a disproportionate share of household and child rearing tasks. Since there are alternative costs of these time expenditures, this accounts for their lower level of productivity. According to the marital asymmetry hypothesis (MAH), never married males and females should have equal wages, and they roughly do, since their household time investments tend to be equal. Sayers, 2012 takes sharp issue with this explanation of the pay gap. The present article is a rejoinder to Sayers, 2012. It points out errors in her critique of the marital asymmetry hypothesis and in her general condemnation of the free enterprise system.

Suggested Citation

  • Walter E. Block, 2014. "The Cost Of Being Female:Rejoinder To Sayers," Review of Social and Economic Issues, Romanian-American University, vol. 1(1), pages 37-69, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:rau:rseijr:v:1:y:2014:i:1:p:37-69
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rachel Sayers, 2012. "The Cost of Being Female: Critical Comment on Block," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 106(4), pages 519-524, April.
    2. Salin, Pascal, 1996. "Cartels as Efficient Productive Structures," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 9(2), pages 29-42.
    3. McDowell, John M, 1982. "Obsolescence of Knowledge and Career Publication Profiles: Some Evidence of Differences among Fields in Costs of Interrupted Careers," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 72(4), pages 752-768, September.
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