I was recently listening to a pod cast which was discussing wage equality between the sexes. Do you think that women make less money then men for the same or similar position? (In North America)

As part of the discussion the point was raised that men should make more then women. Do you agree with this?

The discussion panel suggested that men should have a higher wage because women have children and will leave their position for a period of time. To replace the position while they are gone the company must spend money hiring and training a new employee. The panel argued (with evidence to support) that this is why women are paid less. Knowing this do you still think women should be paid less then men for a similar role.

If you are (or if you were) a small business owner do you think it would be fair to consider the possibility of a woman leaving her position to have a child when evaluating her rate of pay knowing that re-hiring and training would place significant hardship on your business and livelihood?