It might be 2012, but fact remains that a wage gap exists between genders. Statistics have shown that women still earn 77 cents for every dollar that men earn.



As for why the gap persists is still being discussed, but a recent study published in the American Sociological Review might offer some kind of explanation. The researchers claim that it might have to do with men being more likely than women to put in 50 hours or more of work a week. Women are less likely to choose positions that demand long hours and that they are still responsible for the majority of housework and childcare, and therefore can’t work as much overtime.

And since longer hours often yield more pay, more of those who work them tend to end up in managerial and professional positions simply because employers are likely to view overtime employees as hard-working, and thus more worthy of climbing the corporate ladder.

So ladies, would you be willing to give up everything in order to burn the midnight oil at the office for upping your pay? Or maybe someone needs to come up with a system that actually pays people for managing to balance between work and home life.

[Learn Vest]