Final answer:
A woman with the same qualifications as a man might expect to earn less for the same job due to the gender wage gap. Factors like the motherhood penalty contribute to earning discrepancies, with women often earning 7% to 14% less than their male counterparts, especially when family responsibilities are involved.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a man is offered $100 to do a job, a woman who is equally qualified, with the same education, experience, and ability, is likely to earn less for the same work due to existing gender wage gaps.
Historically, gender discrimination in U.S. education programs was prevalent until Title IX of the Education Amendments in 1972 made it illegal. Despite legal advances, disparities persist. Studies reveal that men out-earned women by an average of more than $5,000 each year among recent college graduates.
For example, first-year job earnings averaged $33,150 for men and $28,000 for women. Factors contributing to lower wages for women include disproportionate household responsibilities, the motherhood penalty, and less job experience due to career interruptions related to family care.
In essence, while childless women with identical qualifications as men are typically paid similarly, women with families often face a 7% to 14% wage reduction compared to their childless counterparts.
Conversely, married men tend to receive a 'fatherhood bonus,' earning 10% to 15% more than single men with similar credentials.