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I've always been interested in these kind of data. Are women earning only 77% of their male counterparts because

a) They are primarily employed in occupations that pay less

b) They take maternity leave and/or extended vacations/time off (taking care of children etc.)

or

c) Women are just paid less for the same work?

I think the strong correlation presented in the parent comment suggests that women actually work 77% of the time that men do, period.

Whether that is actually true, or - even better - relates in any way to productivity is out of scope here.

A is the primary reason. B is true, but it is not so much that women take time off and are therefore paid less, it is that women take time off and miss out on a few rounds of promotions and get behind a bit. You only take 5 years out of a 40 year career, but you might take out two of the total promotions and that adds up to a lot.

C happens but rarely in the US is it that a woman makes 77% of a man for exactly the same occupation, the difference might be 5-10% but not 23%.

That's a good point. I recall reading a study that men who take time off to be stay-at-home dads have a similar pay/promotion hit (not QUITE as much, but pretty close).

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