Bailey Devinney

Dr. Kanu

Faith, Religion, and Society

4 May 2020

Catholic Social Teaching Concerning Gender Inequality in the Workplace

Over the last several years, one of the most broadcasted social justice issues is that of

gender inequality, especially in the workplace. Women are often not given the same treatment,

perks, or respect as their male counterparts. As a young woman growing into this environment, I

am incredibly aware of these issues as I have matured and with each career step. But how does

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) align with this injustice?

To those who do not know of the gender issues I am addressing, I have chosen four

common issues based on gender seen in the work environment. The first issue is unequal pay;

women are paid eighty percent of what men are paid. According to Julia Wilson’s article 5 Top

Issues Fueling Gender Inequality in the Workplace, “On average, American women are more

educated than men. For decades, women have earned more bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees,

and doctorate degrees than men. Yet women in the U.S. workforce still earn less than their male

counterparts ((Wilson 5 Top Issues Fueling Gender Inequality in the Workplace).” Women are

said to be paid forty-nine cents to every dollar a man earns, but are frequently more educated.

The second issue also plays in pay but on how women of color are affected. Data from the

Institute for Women’s Policy Research found that “Asian/Pacific Islander women have the

highest median annual earnings and are compensated $46,000. White women follow at $40,000,

while Native American and Hispanic women have the lowest pay, earning $31,000 and $28,000
per year. Earnings also vary by race when compared to what men are compensated (Women of

Color).” The third issue is a significant problem relating to women of the present day, not only in

a work setting, sexual harassment. Rhitu Chatterjee writes about a survey conducted in 2018

found 38 percent of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace (Chatterjee A

New Survey Finds 81 Percent Of Women Have Experienced Sexual Harassment). Lastly, is

women are often not promoted as much as men. We know this because women make up less than

5 percent of CEOs, and less than 10 percent of women are top earners in the S&P 500. Women of

color are even worse off, as they are nearly invisible on both S&P 500 boards and Fortune 500

boards (Pyramid: Women in S&P 500 Companies). One reason cited for why more women aren’t

moving into higher-up executive-type roles is the lack of female role models in the workplace.

Catalyst.org says that not having a visible role model can make women feel as if moving into a

leadership-type role is simply unattainable (Report: Women in Leadership: A European Business

Imperative).

When looking at Catholic Social Teaching themes, the theme that matches the best with

gender inequality in the workplace is, in my opinion, the life and dignity of the human person.

“The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human

person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the

principles of our social teaching. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more

important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or

enhances the life and dignity of the human person. (Catholic Social Teaching)”
To me, this means every human deserves to be treated the same and should not feel less human

because of their gender or race. Inequality based on gender would completely oppose the

principles of Catholic Social Teaching since rights, dignity, and solidarity of the women are

threatened. I think the life and dignity of the human person and solidarity are the two main

themes that adequately addresses the mistreatment of women in the professional world.

CST intersects with my everyday life because it is an excellent outline for us to live as

kind human beings and to look at every person in society. CST shows us to be caring,

considerate, and more aware of people struggling around us. I believe more institutions should

teach and use CST because, without it, issues such as gender inequality and mistreatment take

place without another look. If CST is in play, people would be immediately aware of why

inequality is wrong and harmful to society in general, not just in workplaces.

 Works Cited

“Catholic Social Teaching.” Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services

of Western Washington, 24 Apr. 2017, ccsww.org/about-us/catholic-social-teaching/.

Chatterjee, Rhitu. “A New Survey Finds 81 Percent Of Women Have Experienced Sexual

Harassment.” NPR, NPR, 22 Feb. 2018,

www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/21/587671849/a-new-survey-finds-eighty

-percent-of-women-have-experienced-sexual-harassment.

“Pyramid: Women in S&P 500 Companies.” Catalyst, 2020,

www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-sp-500-companies/.

“Report: Women in Leadership: A European Business Imperative.” Catalyst,

www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-leadership-a-european-business-imperative/.

Wilson, Julie. “5 Top Issues Fueling Gender Inequality in the Workplace.” As You Sow,

As You Sow, 25 Feb. 2019,

www.asyousow.org/blog/gender-equality-workplace-issues?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInc

W4pMaV6QIVjYbACh2vBAi6EAAYASAAEgLZtfD_BwE.

“Women of Color.” Women in the States,

statusofwomendata.org/women-of-color/#spotlighteewoc.