Why do women earn less than men?

[EHmum]

Before I had children I used to think that maternity rights for women only were sexist against men. Now I think they're sexist against women.
Until men have the same rights (time off and pay) to women, women will continue to take the main parenting role. The time off (for me 6 months for ds1 and returned full time, 8 months for ds2 and returned 3 days a week) means you play catch up on your return, and when you do get back there is so much to think about organising the kids that career often comes second.
Being a SAHM following the birth of your baby is fantastic but it should be a choice, and it might be that a less career-minded husband could do it just as well.
Equal rights would also stop employers not employing women of child bearing age, or at least make things equal!
What do you think?

EHmum, that is interesting.

Currently, the paternity leave to which men are entitled is only a fraction of the maternity leave women are entitled to take. So I guess you be suggesting that men be allowed to take up to a year off as well and/or that the mother can cede her entitlement to be taken by the father.

I believe that the flexible working regulations currently apply to both men and women. But the culture is such that the majority of applicants taking advantage of it are women. Until the mindset of men/employers change such that more and more men are prepared to take the fexibility (and the potential damage to their careers), women will still be perceived as less employable.

So changing the law is just the first step. After that, there must be a shift in mindset. I am all for SAHDs.