Gender Wage Gap

The gender wage gap is a highly debated issue among economists and the workers effecting it. Some economists believe that it is due to a few male workers making significantly more than women with a similar job, while others believe it is more commonly seen among all job types. Either way the gender wage gap definitely exists and is among racial groups as well, this gap is greatest in caucasians where 73% of women make the same wage as their male counterparts of the same job, while 85% of african american women make the same wage as their male counterpart. Some may say that education is a major reason why this is occurring however it is the exact opposite, the gender wage gap is greater as you get more education. Now women are definitely making more money with a college degree than if they had not but comparing it with their male counterpart the gap is significantly higher than had then both not gone to college. There are several reasons why women may in fact earn less than men, one of these ideas is commonly called "mommy tracking" where the employer is afraid to make an investment in female labor because they are afraid they will leave to raise children in the near future, there fore giving the job or raise to the male. Another aspect of this idea is that if a male were to go to war he would still make similar equivalents of money when he returns because the employer deems it an important event to fight for the country, where in  the women's situation having a child isn't as significant. If we embrace different rules instead of assuming they are gender neutral and men are just following them better, we will all be better off. Now a man's wife and daughter will be making more money, bringing more wealth to the family and allowing a better more balanced economy. However we continue being stuck on the traditional sense of values and ideas.  Are these the kind of values we want to live by? If this kind of thinking continues the wage gap may never close and women will never break through the glass ceiling.