Morton Marcus
Special note to readers: In this week’s column is an unfamiliar word. A respected friend, who is a good and successful writer, advised me to avoid such words as they may discourage readers from continuing to read. Stubborn as I am, I will not do that, however wise it may be.
There are many words in the English language to describe colors. For some of us, blue is blue and green is green. But what are aquamarine, teal, and turquoise? Tone, shade, tint, hue are all of consequence in paint and design.
Although a rose is a rose, not all roses are red. And not all red flowers are roses. We have words to sharpen distinction. Synonyms are not always substitutes.
That you or I may not know a word, only indicates an opportunity to see a difference where we saw none previously. A new word can be a jewel, rather than an obstacle. Don’t be deterred by a detour to the dictionary in your quest for understanding.
Sheila Kennedy and I recently published a ground-breaking book, From Property to Partner, concerning the struggle for women’s rights. It is distinguished by being very current, but brief and comprehensive.
However, readers of this weekly homily rightfully demand what’s missing from the book… attention to Indiana. Hence, the following is offered in partial expiation of that neglect.
The gap between the earnings of men and women nationally is generally reported as 17%, or 83% which is the same thing. That is, women earn 83% of what men earn, which is 17% less than men. However, as with many statistics, the number will vary depending on when and how the gap is measured.
Our data are for 2021, based on a five year period, adjusted for inflation. They are the median earnings for men and women who are full-time, year-round workers, ages 16 and older. They come from the American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau) for each state and county.,
These data show the median American male earning $57,803 and the median female $46,823.That puts the wage gap at 81% or 19%. It may be lower/higher than previous estimates because it includes the Covid period where women often were more responsive to family needs.
Hoosier workers were earning less. Males $54,853, 95% of the national median (29th highest among the 50 states). Females $41,870, 89% of their counterparts in other states; 35th highest level in the U.S. The Hoosier male-female gap was $12,983, 76% or 24%, the ninth largest state-level gap in America.
The gap between men and women was greatest in Wyoming, Utah, and Louisiana. It was least in Vermont, Maryland, and New York. In the Cowboy State (WY) the gap was 32%. By contrast it was 11% in the Green Mountain State (VT).
Within Indiana, the median earnings of males exceed the national median in 13 counties; for women the national median was exceeded in 19 counties. Hamilton County residents have the highest earnings in Indiana for both men and women, but the gap between the genders is 31% or $26,570 a year.
The least gap between men’s and women’s earnings are found in Owen County where the gap is nine percent or $3,900. In Porter County, the gap is highest at 36% or $15,020.
Why do these gaps vary so much? It is largely a question of economic opportunities for residents of the various counties. Commuting is a way of increasing your earnings. But if the neighboring counties don’t offer better wages, women, more reluctant to commute, will find less monetarily rewarding work.
Does Indiana have economic development policies to spread and support employment around the state? Are location decisions made by companies at the expense of our mid-sized and smaller towns? Are our county roads conducive to safe commuting?
Hoosiers might seek answers from our Lords of the Legislature.
Mr. Marcus is an economist. Reach him at [email protected]. Follow him and John Guy on Who Gets What? wherever podcasts are available or at mortonjohn.libsyn.com.
