In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the persistent issue of the gender pay gap and its connection to parenthood. We begin by exploring eye-opening statistics that reveal how little progress has been made in closing the pay gap over the past two decades. Despite women earning an average of 82% of what men earned in 2022, similar to the gap in 2002, the nuances reveal stark disparities. Black women earned 70% as much as white men, Hispanic women only earned 65%, and Asian women earned 93%.

We investigate the underlying factors contributing to this inequality, ranging from underrepresentation of women in managerial and STEM occupations to their higher prevalence in lower-paying fields. Moreover, the impact of COVID-19 on the pay gap is discussed, highlighting how many women left the workforce to fulfill caregiving responsibilities.

A significant revelation emerges as we uncover the "parental premium" for men. Surprisingly, men with children typically earn more than women, regardless of parental status, or men without children. We explore the reasons behind this disparity, including biases surrounding engagement in the workforce and societal expectations placed on mothers.

Drawing inspiration from case studies, we explore solutions to narrow the pay gap. The Icelandic approach of mandating equal parental leave for men and women demonstrates how cultural shifts can lead to positive change. We examine the impact of a decreased male population during the civil war/genocide in Rwanda, which prompted women to enter traditionally male-dominated roles.

Resources discussed:

Dads get paid more when they have kids - as moms earn less - Chabeli Carrazana, 19th News (2023) 

Gender pay gap in U.S. hasn’t changed much in two decades - Caroline Aragao, Pew Research Center (2023)

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