Highly educated American women face the largest gender gap in terms of both education and pay , making up just 25 % of the US 's top 10 % earners . Alongside discrimination and family planning , economists say the US 's obsession with long , inflexible hours is a key culprit here , reportedly despite the fact women are more educated than they have ever been . But researchers say that because of the changes in work and family, many educated couples are finding that couple equity is out of reach — and many women are left with unused career potential. Educated women therefore often move to less demanding jobs after having children , taking a backseat to allow their male counterparts to push ahead professionally , unencumbered by labor costs , and gain the financial dividends that come from working long and unpredictable hours .
Highly educated American women face the largest gender gap in terms of both education and pay , making up just 25 % of the US 's top 10 % earners . Alongside discrimination and family planning , economists say the US 's obsession with long , inflexible hours is a key culprit here , reportedly despite the fact women are more educated than they have ever been . Educated women therefore often move to less demanding jobs after having children , taking a backseat to allow their male counterparts to push ahead professionally , unencumbered by labor costs , and gain the financial dividends that come from working long and unpredictable hours .