Equal Pay Act of 1963
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 is a United States labor law amending the Fair Labor Standards Act, aimed at abolishing wage disparity based on sex (see Gender pay gap). It was signed into law on June 10, 1963, by John F. Kennedy as part of his New Frontier Program. In passing the bill, Congress stated that sex discrimination:The law provides (in part) that:
Women in the United States labor force from 1945 to 1950
Before World War II, there existed persistent and systematic discrimination against women workers. This includes bars to married women working in most states. During the high unemployment of the Great Depression many thought men should have preference, because that way there can be at least one provider for every family. The U.S. culture determined that women gain employment before marriage, but upon marriage, to dedicate themselves to their main duty - in maintaining the family home. The important anti-discrimination legislation Equal Pay Act of 1963 would not be passed until 1963. In 1940, 28% of women over 14 participated in the labor force while men over the age of 10 had a 96% workforce participation rate.