Final answer:
The gender pay gap refers to the difference in average earnings between women and men. This gap is influenced by factors such as household responsibilities and occupational segregation, resulting in women earning less than men, particularly after becoming mothers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount by which the average pay for female workers is less than the average pay for male workers is known as the gender pay gap. Factors like household responsibilities and motherhood often lead women to have less job experience in their 30s and 40s compared to men, which affects their average wages. In the United States, it is observed that childless women with similar education and experience as men are typically paid comparably. However, those with families and children can earn about 7% to 14% less. Men, on the other hand, often receive a fatherhood bonus, earning more when they become parents. This pay difference is not fully explained by differences in human capital but also includes factors like occupational segregation, with women often occupying lower-paid, traditionally female roles.