NBCNews.com: 'Motherhood Penalty' Can Affect Women Who Never Even Have a Child

NBCNews.com: 'Motherhood Penalty' Can Affect Women Who Never Even Have a Child. http://www.nbcnews.com/business/careers/motherhood-penalty-can-affect-women-who-never-even-have-child-n548511

"This higher standard is due to an antiquated notion that women who are pregnant are perpetually pre-occupied with their babies and cannot possibly be productive, said Anne-Marie Slaughter, author and former director of policy planning for the U.S. State Department.

"Pregnant women and mothers are assumed to be less committed to their careers, and every time they leave the office or ask for any flexibility, that commitment is further called into question," Slaughter said."