Tax the Patriarchy
Tax the Patriarchy. The U.S. tax code helps entrench gender divisions. It doesn’t have to be that way.
By Annie Lowrey
The Atlantic, November 13, 2019
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/tax-patriarchy/601864/
Summary
The text presents a woke argument about the inherent gender biases within the U.S. tax system. By delving into the nuanced ways the tax code can inadvertently perpetuate gender disparities, the author emphasizes the importance of viewing policies through a gendered lens. The article underscores the need for systemic change for equity and the broader economic benefit. While the tax code might be written in neutral terms, its real-world implications reveal underlying biases. It's a timely reminder that true neutrality isn't about treating everyone equally but ensuring everyone has the same opportunities and outcomes.
Content
In its intricate design, the U.S. tax code has been critiqued for preferentially benefiting certain groups over others. Notably, it tends to favour unearned over earned income, larger homes over smaller ones, and the extremely wealthy over the merely affluent. New reports by the National Women’s Law Center, alongside other advocacy groups, contend that this system also indirectly disadvantages women. Analyzing tax provisions through a gendered perspective, the reports reveal that the tax system reflects and intensifies existing gender disparities.
Additionally, the code's treatment of investment incomes and benefits perpetuates disparities. For instance, tax benefits for capital-intensive sectors, predominantly male-dominated, overshadow those for service-oriented businesses, which women more commonly initiate. Moreover, by bolstering wealth among the affluent, the tax system amplifies economic divides and overlooks women-centric priorities, such as universal health care or paid family leave.
Despite the code’s language being ostensibly gender-neutral, its practical implications often disadvantage women and people of colour. To rectify these biases, the report authors advocate for more comprehensive gender-focused tax data collection and suggest reforms like taxing investment income similarly to labour income and providing more support for low-income families, ultimately bolstering the broader economy.
Critique
The text leans heavily on reports by advocacy groups, which could have inherent biases. Independent verification from a neutral source would enhance the credibility of the claims. A more comprehensive exploration would provide a well-rounded perspective on the issue. It is biased and not factual.
Absence of Counterarguments: Presenting the perspective of those favouring the current tax system or providing evidence that refutes the gender bias claim could have balanced the discourse.
Generalizations: The text tends to generalize certain businesses and sectors as male or female-dominated, which might oversimplify complex economic dynamics.
Causality vs. Correlation: The article sometimes implies direct causation between the tax code and gender disparity without thoroughly establishing that the tax code is the primary or sole factor for these disparities.
Overemphasis on Gender: While addressing gender disparities is crucial, it would be beneficial to consider other demographic factors like age, education, or regional disparities that could also play a significant role.
