Why do female graduates earn less than their male peers?

Female graduates often earn less than their male peers because people sometimes pay them less for doing the same job, it’s like getting a smaller snack even though you both did the same task at school.

Imagine you and your friend both cleaned up the classroom after recess. You both worked just as hard, but your teacher gave your friend an extra cookie while you got just one. That’s what happens to many female graduates in the real world, they do the same work as their male friends, but get paid less.

Sometimes, people don’t realize that women are just as good at the job. It's like thinking a red pencil is less useful than a blue one, even though both can draw the same picture.

Also, some jobs where women are more common pay less than others, it’s like being in a group that gets fewer stickers for doing the same things other groups do.

So over time, this difference adds up. It's not because girls are less smart or hardworking, it's just that they're sometimes treated differently.