Navigating the Family-Career Crossroads:INSIGHTS INTO THE GENDER PAY GAP AMONG WOMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA

What is already Known-As the South African society continues to pursue egalitarian principles, a noticeable increase in the gender pay gap has been observed. Studies have revealed that when the society strives for total equality of opportunity and outcome, it maximise choices that aligns with people’s interests. One of the phenomena which arises from this argument is Women’s interest between Family nurturing and career development, which is commonly called the “Family-Career Conflict”. Findings Results revealed a statistically significant p-value of 0.04 and a strong negative correlation (R² = 0.9773) between family priorities and career progression. The findings indicate that women aged 25 to 50 frequently prioritize family formation over career advancement, often sacrificing professional opportunities. This prioritization significantly limits career growth and exacerbates the gender pay gap. The study underscores the role of societal and personal factors in shaping these decisions. Research implications The “Women’s Family-Career Crisis” is a critical factor perpetuating the gender pay gap. These findings call for targeted policies and societal interventions that enable women to balance family and career aspirations without compromising economic participation. This study provides a novel empirical analysis of the interplay between family and career priorities among South African women, offering valuable insights for policymakers, sociologists, labour Economists and gender equality advocates.