Buffet and Gates

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Taking years off work to raise infants? Must be in the 1%.

Of the planet, sure. Obviously if you're a single parent the whole kids-vs-career dynamic changes dramatically, but it's not impossible if you're sharing a bedroom with a second adult who can still work. About 30% of two-parent homes in the U.S. have the mom raising the kids full-time--but the number goes up to 42% if there is at least one kid under 3.

Beyond that, though, some portion (couldn't find a study that clearly measured it, but in my experience it's the majority) of those still-working moms are working part-time outside of their field, or in an otherwise flexible arrangement that doesn't particularly advance their career. They've been derailed for all practical purposes, even if they're still getting a paycheck from somewhere.