I've looked recently at a study of academics based on papers they authored that showed parents are more productive. IIRC, fathers were most productive, mothers

I've looked recently at a study of academics based on papers they authored that showed parents are more productive. IIRC, fathers were most productive, mothers less productive during early years of child-rearing but ultimately beat-out non-parents. In that limited study, if you're female you'd be expected to catch and over-take your peers -- presumably early child-rearing gives you more time after you've overtaken your peers. Again, from the study, if you're male then your output would be expected to be "better" from just after your kids come. Mother's were more productive before they became pregnant, if you follow; perhaps trying to get ahead before pregnancy. If anyone asks I'll dig out the link. My work shared it, it showed the opposite of what they said it did ...