Are women paid less because the work less?

Question

Could the fact that they take 50% more sick time be one reason?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204212846.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/412574.stm

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4241746&page=1

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-512312/Women-46-cent-sick-days-men.html

Answer 1

By the way Ambrose, the women taking 46% more sick leave SPECIFICALLY excludes ALL child related sick leaves, if you included children then women would take even more off,

re read the article

Answer 2

Yes, that may be a big factor.  I'll freely admit it.

What I really dislike about the studies that tout this huge wage gap is that they're generally not comparing people who do the same jobs, and for the same fraction of their career.  In the current environment, it's the women who take maternity leave and often more time off with a new baby. . . and the women who take off more often when the kids get sick.  Less time at work can = less advancement, which = less money.

Answer 3

It didn't occur to you that perhaps they're taking the sick time to take care of their sick kids, since women still overwhelmingly shoulder child-care and house-chore burdens.

"s****. guys create more work for wives":

"Having a husband creates an extra seven hours of housework each week for women, according to a new study. For men, tying the knot saves an hour of weekly chores" (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23957393/ ).

Answer 4

Anybody who works less will be paid less.  It's pretty basic.