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 .
Highly educated American women face the largest gender gap in terms of both seniority 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 offsetting 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 partners to push ahead professionally, unencumbered by childcare duties, and gain the financial dividends that come from working long and unpredictable hours.