10 Things We Can Learn From The US Women’s Soccer Team Suing For Equal Pay
In recent news the US Women’s Soccer Team has publicly stated that they are suing the US Soccer Federation for equal pay. But what does this really mean for women and men everywhere? These are just 10 Things We Can Learn From The US Women’s Soccer Team Suing For Equal Pay.
1. Equal Pay Is Not Universal
It’s hard to believe that women are still paid less for the same work as their male counterparts. In fact it is an issue because women tend to earn just a fraction of what their – in some cases less successful – male counterparts make. In our day to day lives our attention is not often drawn to issues which aren’t making headlines on the news therefore the US Women’s Soccer Team by taking a stand and calling out and demanding all of our attention reminds us of just how much work we have left to do in order to achieve pay equality. By speaking out they are teaching us the value of standing up to inequality.
2. The Gender Wage Gap Is Widening
Are you sure? Yes! You would think that after the progress that has been made over the last few decades, women being able to vote and work in specialisations they were previously not privy to would say that things are getting better, not worse. But the US Women’s Soccer Team suing for equal pay has unearthed statistics that show the gender age gap is widening and this is in first world countries. If we consider all countries, pay inequality is a serious issue for women worldwide. While women can be seen in more places, that does not necessarily mean they are treated fairly while they are there. Women and men all have their own strengths, as individual people do and what we learn from the US Women’s Soccer Team is that we need to call this out now before it gets any worse.
3. Speaking Up Does Not Have To Be Something You Do Alone
Often when we are faced with an issue it can be scary to raise our voice and call for action. This is usually because we feel alone in our opinions and like we’ll be beaten down for our stance. The US Women’s Soccer Team suing for equal pay as a team teaches us that speaking out does not have to be something you have to do alone. Find people who share in your opinion and raise your voices together.
4. Collective Power Can Bring Change
Much like the last point, the US Women’s Soccer Team teaches us that there is strength in numbers and collective power is a real game changer. As the team stands united they are harder to knock down and it is through this collective power that we see unrelenting strength in the face of adversity. This is how we begin to enact real, lasting change. The US Women’s Soccer Team is a united front and they challenge us to stand united with them.
5. Sisterhood Is Important
Supporting the other women in your life is important, this is known as sisterhood. In times like this when we face inequality, it is standing beside one another that allows us to do the hard work. You don’t have to engage in anything that makes you uncomfortable but we are called by the US Women’s Soccer Team to be there for one another.
6. Women Can Find Success In Sport
The US Women’s Soccer Team has been just as successful as the men’s national team in recent years. In fact, the women’s team has generated more profit and revenue for the U.S. Soccer Federation, drawn larger viewing audiences and played more games than the men’s national team. The women have also won three World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals, the men’s team did not make the cut. So for those who argue the women don’t deserve the same pay because they don’t achieve the same goals, they don’t play as well you will see that these women have more than earned an equal wage. They’ve worked very hard for it and have reaped the success. How can you argue with that?
7. Women In Sport Is Important
Representation! As young girls and boys continue to grow and play sports, they look up to those who have been playing long before them. It is important to show women in sport to show these children who are wide-eyed and hopeful that they too can reach their goals. If we refuse to broadcast women in sport we tell young girls and boys that women can’t be successful in sport and this in itself will see problems arise. Therefore the US Women’s Soccer Team reminds us that women deserve a spot in sport and girls can do whatever boys can do too.
8. Motherhood Still Impacts A Woman’s Success
Motherhood in a number of professions impacts a woman’s work. By having children and taking the short amount of leave they are often left with poor wages and are mistreated for simply starting families. This is wrong and the US Women’s Soccer Team calling this out really urges the rest of us to stand up to this. Motherhood should not impact a women’s success as she gives life to the next generation. Many of the women who play for the women’s international side are mothers and they show the rest of us that becoming a mother in no way ends your career.
9. Women Are Struggling Everywhere
The US Women’s Soccer Team are not the women battling to provide for themselves and others in their life with minimum wage work. But as they are athletes and are experiencing their own discrimination in a male-dominated profession, they teach us that we can use our own cases of injustice to try to help those that have it much worse than us. The US Women’s Soccer Team speaking out in no way minimises the struggle of other women but it helps to begin a conversation that will hopefully in time help those women that don’t have these voices. It is not our job to speak for marginalised groups, we are obligated to pass our privileged and allow them to speak for themselves. This is the first step toward giving all women a platform to call out their own injustice.
10. Be Bold!
Lastly, the US Women’s Soccer Team teaches us to be bold. From a young age, young girls are told not to desire and young boys are told not to feel or cry. This united team of women are directly challenging that by publicly demanding better and for calling out injustice as they see it. Women can desire and men can cry and women can play soccer just as men can. The US Women’s Soccer Team is saying so much by speaking out.
How do you feel about the US Women’s Soccer Team suing for equal pay? Let us know in the comments below your own experience in your workplace and let’s create a supportive thread in support of solidarity.
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