Final answer:
The EEOC was formed by the 1964 Civil Rights Act to combat employment discrimination, with significant contributions from economist Phyllis Ann Wallace. Despite the Equal Pay Act of 1963, wage disparities persist, raising discussions on the government's role in ensuring equal pay. Historical context is provided by the Employment Act of 1946, which set broader goals for national employment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was established by the 1964 Civil Rights Act to address employment discrimination and protect workers. Economist Phyllis Ann Wallace played a significant role as the commission's chief of technical studies, gathering data and guiding investigations. The earlier Equal Pay Act of 1963 aimed to eliminate gender-based wage disparities, yet decades later, pay inequality persists, raising questions about the effectiveness of legislation in achieving economic equality. Debates continue on whether government intervention should be increased to ensure equal pay, often considered an economic right, as disparities exist despite multiple legislations.
The Employment Act of 1946 set earlier national goals for employment, suggesting a history of governmental efforts to promote fairness in economic matters, like preventing significant disruptions in national employment levels. Scholars and institutions continue to study and debate the intricacies of employment equality, including the impact of discrimination on the gender pay gap and the role of policy in correcting these disparities.