Men's Group
In reply to the discussion: Yes, Patriarchy Is Dead; the Feminists Prove It [View all]Major Nikon
(36,904 posts)One can't simply assume all of it is. Within that 6% (or possibly lower if you go by other pay gap studies) you'll find several sociological factors which are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to measure. So it's hardly a good idea to assume that all of that 6% is due to illegal discrimination, which is why the AAUW doesn't (assuming you read the fine print).
I'm all for very strong protections which insure equal pay for equal work. The reality is that many strong protections are already in place. Most illegal discrimination happens at the small employer level. Large employers eventually figure out that illegal discrimination is ultimately untenable, generally after they are hit with 6 and 7 figure settlements if they aren't smart enough to see the writing on the wall.