What is a primary cause of the gender wage gap observed in many societies?

One primary cause of the gender wage gap is the difference in job opportunities and career advancement for men and women. Often, women are underrepresented in higher-paying fields like technology and engineering, which can lead to lower overall earnings. Additionally, societal expectations and stereotypes may push women into roles that are traditionally lower-paid, such as caregiving or teaching. For example, a woman might choose to work part-time to care for her children, which can limit her income and career growth compared to a man who works full-time. This gap reflects not just individual choices, but also broader systemic issues that need to be addressed for true gender equality in pay.