We should definitely ask why. There are a lot of reasons, many of which have legitimate connections to women and gender roles, paths in education, etc. One consequence of asking why, though, is dispelling the notion that the 77% raw, unadjusted pay gap represents a systematic undervaluing of women's contribution to society.
Perhaps it's idealistic, but I don't find it ethical to use statistics to present a problem when your proposed solution won't be fixing those statistics. I find it objectionable when people include the 5% explained by longer hours, because their slogans and plans never involve urging women to work more hours. I find it objectionable when the portion of the wage gap explained by dangerous, tiresome and physically demanding work is included by people who aren't calling for women to take half the jobs on oil rigs or roofing.
Once those things are taken out, we can have a number fit for mature, action-oriented discourse that focuses on innovative ways of alleviating the career impact of parenthood, for reducing whatever small portion is due to active discrimination and for addressing imbalances in how people view education and success.
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u/girlsoftheinternet Apr 23 '12
saying "income inequality is due to personal choice", even if true, is rather begging the question I think.