Well apparently if you ask Google, that's not strictly true. Let's look at fashion. 85-90% of sweatshop workers are women. Yet, who are the three most famous fashion designers that come up on Google? You guessed it, men! Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford.
What about food? Who has made the most cooked meals through history? Let's face it, it's women! If women make the most meals then why the hell, does Gordon Ramsey, Paul Bocuse and Thomas Keller pop up as the most famous chefs on Google.
Let me ask you another question? Who does the most organising in the family? Who actually makes sure Christmas happens every year? Women! Yet, when it comes to directing films, that's a male's job of course. Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino are the most famous film directors according to Google.
I think if we've established anything so far. It is that if there is a top spot, it's going to be filled by a white, able bodied, cyst, heterosexual man.
And hey, if there is one area where this is really evident, it's the gender pay gap between men and women from equally privileged backgrounds.
It's been recently revealed (not sure when this is going out) the gender pay difference between men and women presenters and TV stars at the BBC. First and foremost, I think it's disgusting that these people can earn SO much in the first place. Where all they do is literally read an autocue or chat about football for a living. I get it, it's the industry. It's the norms of the sector they work in. But I seriously challenge anyone to tell me, they are not overpaid for doing non-essential jobs.
There are firefighters, policemen and women, doctors, nurses, surgeons, paramedics and so so so many others who save people's life's, who care and support us when we need it the most and are not paid nearly enough for what they do EVERY single day. But this is a rant for another day...
If you thought that was bad, which let's face it, it's god damn terrible. Women presenters and stars at the BBC earn significantly less than men. You would think in 2017 this would not be the case. It's not 1946 anymore. What the hell is going on? Overall, 25 men on the talent list receive more than £250,000, compared to just nine women. I was astounded by this. I had no idea they earned so much.
The top earner was Chris Evans, exceeding over 2 million a year. I don't know how anyone can pay this tea leaf SO much for being as dull as dishwater and doing such a crap job at whizzing fast cars around a track. Honestly, I think I would get more excited having a conversation with my toothbrush than him. It's pretty clear, I have an intense dislike for the guy. But even if you like him, you can't stand there and tell me, what he is paid is fair. And let's not forget Chris Evans is a white, able-bodied, cyst, heterosexual man.
And it's not just him. You guessed it, the top 10 is made up of nearly all white, Middle aged men. Claudia Winkleman is the highest female earner, who receives £450,000 a year. If you didn't know, Claudia presents Strictly come dancing, the one show on the BBC which has the highest viewing figures. So statistically thinking, she would be right at the top. But no, because like I said at the start...
If there is a top spot, it's going to be filled by a white, able bodied, cyst, heterosexual man.
We're conditioned to believe that this has to be the norm. Of course, white Middle aged men earn the most, they always have. But what strikes me is how those on the fringes of society are now more accepted. Diversity is being recognised more than it has ever done before. Yet industries, like broadcasting, just haven't got the memo. Don't get me wrong, it's not just broadcasting where this gender pay gap exists. It's in all industries.
In 2016, the gender pay difference was 9.4%. This is largely down to the stereotypes and connotations that surround women. Women are expected to have the expressive role as the housewife. They are not employed in the top managerial or professional jobs because they will only leave on maternity leave and come back working part time because of childcare responsibilities. This costs the business more money, and no employer wants that, so they simply, don't employ them at all.
So, bearing that in mind you would think that women who remain childless and work part time, would earn the same as much. They actually don't, they earn 7% less than men doing the exact same job. It's just disgusting if you ask me. Of course, it's not just women who earn less. Black men in professional managerial positions earn 25% less than their white counterparts.
This isn't the 1940's anymore, what's going on? Haven't things changed? If we've learnt anything from this post, it is that, in life, the real winners are white middle aged, middle class, able bodied, cyst, heterosexual men. But that doesn't have to remain the case forever. We can change that. By campaigning for equality and the collapse of the gender pay gap, we can make a difference. We don't have to accept this as the norm anymore.
Sure it won't be easy, and it will take time but I don't want to bring my potential future daughter up in a society, where she is pushed and pushed throughout education to work hard and achieve, yet, when she reaches the real world can't, because of the genitals between her legs.
What are your thoughts on the gender pay gap? Do you think it will ever change? I would love to know your opinions on the subject in the comments below.
Thank you for reading, as always X
Make sure you check out my October advertisers: Elf Feel Good Vintage, Infertitlyandlife and Lylia Rose
