Final answer:
Women earn about 77% of what men earn for the same job, with the gender wage gap persisting despite increases in women's workforce participation and education levels. Early career wage convergence is observed, but the gap expands as women age, impacting economic security and career advancement.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to data presented in the chapter, women earn approximately 77% of what men earn for doing the same job. This data is reflected in reports from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Equal Pay Taskforce, which confirm that the gender wage gap exists despite women's increasing participation in the workforce and their rising educational achievements. The White House report emphasizes that this earnings gap has broader implications for the economic security of families and the savings women can accumulate over their lifetimes. Furthermore, while efforts to educate and integrate women into the workforce have been successful, with women now surpassing men in educational attainment in some areas, disparities in top leadership positions persist. Pay convergence early in careers is notable, with women's wages around 93% of men's wages at ages 16-24; however, the gap widens over time, illustrating the enduring challenge of achieving gender pay equity.