4. I don't see it that way; if the parents each give an equal percentage of their income to raise a child, then yes, he's likely to give more actual cold hard cash than she is; but he's still likely to retain more (an average male salary in the US is almost $41k, women avg as mentioned 31k). So if they both give the same percentage, and yes he'll give more, but on average, still keep more. If they both give the same *amount*, then he'll be giving a lower percentage.
Additionally, a study at Cornell shows that women with children are offered jobs less often, and are hired at lower rates than men and women without children. A study at Harvard showed that men *with* children are offered better wages than men without (neither of these are fair, but they have been proven). So in addition to the risks of pregnancy, the commitment to 2 years of pregnancy issues, and, if she nurses, about 3-4 years of that, a woman who has children actually gives up potential income by doing so over the 18 or so years of child raising (women who do not have children are within 5% of male salaries; so the average income of a childfree woman is likely about $39k; while it's really freaking sloppy statistics, a woman who has a child is on average giving up $8k a year *before* even paying anything for the child's needs, on average).
So a woman has a lot more to think about when making the decision to have a child, as it's going to cost her potential income, actual income, and then the physical issues. On the other hand, since a man *increases* his earning potential by spawning, he gets an extra advantage there.
no subject
Additionally, a study at Cornell shows that women with children are offered jobs less often, and are hired at lower rates than men and women without children. A study at Harvard showed that men *with* children are offered better wages than men without (neither of these are fair, but they have been proven). So in addition to the risks of pregnancy, the commitment to 2 years of pregnancy issues, and, if she nurses, about 3-4 years of that, a woman who has children actually gives up potential income by doing so over the 18 or so years of child raising (women who do not have children are within 5% of male salaries; so the average income of a childfree woman is likely about $39k; while it's really freaking sloppy statistics, a woman who has a child is on average giving up $8k a year *before* even paying anything for the child's needs, on average).
So a woman has a lot more to think about when making the decision to have a child, as it's going to cost her potential income, actual income, and then the physical issues. On the other hand, since a man *increases* his earning potential by spawning, he gets an extra advantage there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male%E2%80%93female_income_disparity_in_the_United_States