There is a persistent wage gap in America between what women and men earn.  There are two theories explaining the wage gap.  One is overt discrimination by employers.  The other is societal norms, mores and expectations that influence women’s choices.  Choices are type of work, working conditions, scheduling flexibility, proximity to home.  The “Mommy Factor” impacts earnings because women, and not men, choose to take time away from paid work and work in the home while raising families.

The sample used to measure this frequently cited 77% wage gap is all workers, in all types of work and in all industries; and variables such as bonuses and number of hours worked are not controlled.  When factors are controlled the wage gap diminishes from twenty-seven percent to between three and nine percent.

Overt pay discrimination by an employer is infinitesimal.  Pay discrimination is one of the easiest claims to make and, unlike other types of discrimination charges, there is no statute of limitations.

To best serve our daughters and nieces as they pursue their careers, we should stop pretending the wage gap is from illegal discrimination and continue to stress the importance of choices.  Choose work that pays more.  If Sally wants to work on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico to make more money, she can. If Sally prefers to work in an office, she can.  If Sally prefers to leave the work force to pursue family or travel or whatever, she can.

The single most important choice Sally can make is to get an education, complete high school, learn a profession or vocation.  The real wage gap is the difference among high school dropouts, high school graduates and college graduates.  A high school dropout makes an average $19,000 a year, a high school graduate makes an average $28,000 a year and a college graduate makes $51,000 a year.

If we listen to the wailing and shouting about the 77% wage gap and supposed pay discrimination, our girls will believe they are victims and they are doomed.  They are not.  Today’s young women have every choice imaginable.