...I was really surprised as to how much of difference females get underpaid compared to males.... even today, wow.
Yes, this is too bad, but many women coming out of residency are nearing, or already into, their 30s and looking to have children while their body is still capable (which obviously necessitates at least some time off from work). I'm
not trying to start a debate here... just my guess as to the possible reasoning for pay differences.
I'm not passing judgement, but many groups or even hospitals hiring a young DPM may. If a 30yo male doc were to say "hi everyone, I know I just started here a year ago, but I need two or three months off pretty soon," he'd get laughed at. If a newly pregnant female doc said that, the group/department has no choice but to accomodate and the worker's colleagues have to somehow cover the patients and call schedule. Also, maybe a fair amount of the young female DPMs responding to the survey were citing a salary for a year in which they had taken some maternity leave; that it a definite possibility when you consider the age group. I would think/hope that a survey of DPMs 10+ years out into practice would show closer to equal pay for equal work since that window has passed.
These kind sensitive gender issues are also the likely reason for no CRIPS or clerkship questions on relationship/family status. It would be fairly obvious that a newly married female student with no kids would probably draw apprehension at some programs, especially at a demanding residency program that only takes one or two per year. I've heard from a couple female residents/attendings that they were told, during their residency training, by fellow residents or even attendings to, "make sure you are taking birth control" or "don't get pregnant."
...I like that everyone was supposely 2 or more years out of residency, yet one respondant stated their age as 21. Doogie Howser, DPM?
