Question

Discuss the factors which led J.F. Kennedy to introduce Equal Pay Act.

Answer 1

Several factors led President John F. Kennedy to introduce the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which aimed to eliminate wage discrimination based on sex:

1. Rising Number of Working Women: More women were entering the workforce, but they were often paid less than men for doing the same jobs, highlighting a clear injustice.
2. Pressure from Women’s Organisations: Organisations like the National Women’s Party and various labour unions actively campaigned for equal pay, bringing national attention to wage inequality.
3. Findings of the Commission on the Status of Women: Kennedy had established this commission in 1961, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt. It reported widespread gender inequality in wages and recommended legal action.
4. Civil Rights Movement Influence: The broader push for equality and justice during the civil rights era influenced calls for gender equality in the workplace.
5. Economic Justice: Kennedy believed in promoting fairness and improving the economic position of working women, who often supported families but lacked legal wage protection.