Abstract

Although researchers have made plausible arguments about the contributions of several factors, sex differences in family responsibilities and career choices are widely cited as the most important causes of the sex wage gap in the U.S. today. Discrimination may play a role, but it seems unlikely, given the weight of the evidence, that it is a primary factor in modern America. Academics, media personalities, activists, politicians, and other prominent voices should commit themselves to making arguments that are strongly grounded in evidence. This will help ensure that we have sound policy, greater trust in experts, less division, and a citizenry with a more realistic understanding of the opportunities and constraints that await them in their lives.