What underlying cause contributes significantly to the observed gender wage gap, particularly in the context of salary negotiations?

One major reason for the gender wage gap is how men and women approach salary negotiations. Research shows that women are often less likely to negotiate their salaries compared to men, which can lead to lower starting pay and smaller raises over time. For example, if two people are offered the same job, and the man negotiates for a higher salary while the woman does not, the man may end up making thousands more over the years. This difference in negotiation can create a cycle where women continue to earn less. Therefore, encouraging women to negotiate and providing them with the tools to do so can help reduce the wage gap.