In a corporate setting, Sarah and John apply for the same managerial position. Both have similar qualifications and experience. During salary negotiations, John confidently requests a higher salary, while Sarah hesitates to negotiate for fear of being perceived as aggressive. What does this scenario illustrate about the gender wage gap?

This scenario highlights a key issue in the gender wage gap, which often stems from differences in negotiation behaviors between men and women. John feels confident asking for a higher salary, while Sarah worries that negotiating could make her seem aggressive or unfriendly. This hesitation can lead to women accepting lower salaries than their male counterparts, even when they have similar qualifications and experience. For example, if John negotiates for a $70,000 salary while Sarah accepts $65,000, this difference can accumulate over time, widening the pay gap. Ultimately, this situation shows how societal expectations and self-perception can impact salary negotiations and contribute to ongoing wage disparities between genders.