Patriarchy As The Cultural Foundation of Wage Inequality

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of patriarchal culture in the legislations of various countries, with a particular focus on Latin America and Europe. Theoretical framework: The article uses a structuralist approach to analyze patriarchy in Colombian labor legislation, focusing on the wage gap and its historical influence. Despite perpetuated inequalities, neoconstitutionalism questions these norms, reviewing legal instruments to mitigate social inequality. Method: The research uses a documentary review in databases such as Scopus and a hypothetical deductive analysis of patriarchy as a cause of wage discrimination, focused on the Colombian context. It seeks to understand human experiences through a qualitative approach and the systematic study of data, following the structuralist paradigm. Results and discussion: The results indicate that wage inequality is a reflection of hegemonic tendencies that have limited the power of certain sectors over time. In Latin America, this wage discrimination has become normalized, making persistent gaps between men and women visible. Implications of the research: It highlights the need to strengthen the implementation of laws such as Law 1496 of 2011 to ensure equal pay, while promoting a cultural change that challenges patriarchal norms and promotes education in equality from childhood. Originality/value: The research is valuable for its comprehensive approach that encompasses both laws and cultural structures that perpetuate inequality, contextualizing the problem in a historical framework that facilitates its understanding.