Indicative Summary and Highlighting statementsThis graph from Income in Canada (2016) represents data collected in the census conducted in 2016 on the income of individuals living in Canada (Income in Canada, 2016). The data analyses various perspectives, for instance, ranking household incomes according to territories, the proportion of the population in low income households, income among partners, among others (Income in Canada, 2016). This paper aims to analyze the data presented on the various income differences that can be observed between women and men partners in relationships. From the data provided, research showed that 96% of couples in Canada received paid work which marks a rise compared to the previous years when most women were still not getting paid work. The data also shows that 32% of couples earned equal incomes as such no disparities were observed. Couples who had the female partner earning a higher income by any margin were 17% of the total number of earning couples. In comparison, only 51% of couples had the male partners earning more income. The data included both opposite and same-sex couples and both partners were observed to be earning more than 40% of the couple’s combined income. The observed disparities in data can be attributed to various factors which may in one way or another be contributing to the observed data sets.
Extension
Much of this change or more specifically, improvement in the incomes of couples is attributed to the gender-based shifts in the economy of the country whereby more women have been actively involved and engaged in economically based activities (Halliday & Lucas, 2010). This has cumulatively led to improvements in the earnings, as well as more gender-based interventions that have ensured that the gender wage gap is further reduced. The political interventions by the government to ensure that more women participate in economically beneficial activities, and policies put in place to ensure they get paid for the work they do, has also created a favorable environment for such growth to occur leading to the observance of the current data sets (Forrest, 2014). The society has also been sensitized on the importance of narrowing the gender gap, which has improved the status quo of gender-based relations at the workplace, and ensured that more women are employed and get paid for their work (Alicia & Laura, 2016). This has led to an equalizing effect between both partners. Men were observed to be more likely to earn more income due to the fact that most of them are involved in industries that women mostly avoid such as engineering which pays higher (Halliday & Lucas, 2010). However, it is also indicative of the gender wage disparities that still exist in the country which need to be eliminated. It is impossible to achieve general equality between couples since one cannot pay each individual the exact same way. Fortunately, measures can be put in place and plans set in motion especially by the government and other stakeholders to ensure equity in how couples earn income. This will ensure that effects of disparities in income between couples such as arguments related to planning and other financially based conflicts are averted. This is because each couple will contribute what is fair in their case. As such, the government should put in place policies and frameworks to ensure that employees are paid fairly and not on the basis of gender or other factors (Alicia & Laura, 2016). The frameworks should also ensure that more women are employed to ensure gender equality in the workplace and policies to ensure gender wage equality; thus, ensuring that incomes generated by each partner are equal. In conclusion, with partners earning fairly equal incomes, they can contribute equally to the development of their families. The equalization of incomes will ensure that each person has enough to use and invest, thus fostering development.
- Alicia Eads, & Laura Tach. (2016). Wealth and Inequality in the Stability of Romantic Relationships. RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 2(6), 197. doi:10.7758/rsf.2016.2.6.10
- Forrest, W. (2014). Cohabitation, Relationship Quality, and Desistance From Crime. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76(3), 539-556. doi:10.1111/jomf.12105
- Halliday Hardie, J., & Lucas, A. (2010). Economic Factors and Relationship Quality Among Young Couples: Comparing Cohabitation and Marriage. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(5), 1141-1154. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00755.x
- Income in Canada. (2016). Household income in Canada: Key results from the 2016 Census
