09617. ECONOMICS OF COMPARABLE WORTH. This term paper argues against the implementation of comparable worth. Demonstrates that gender pay inequities and female occupational segregation are more the result of compensating wage differentials and women's personal choices than employer discrimination. Maintains that the forces of supply and demand, not government regulations on job "worth" are the best objective measure of wage scales. Further argues that comparable worth programs would disturb free market labor regulation in a way which would result in both labor shortages and labor surpluses within certain occupational groups. KEYWORDS: comparable worth gender parity wages women labor force. 12p., 23f., 17b.