Men held onto the power by monopolizing government, thus creating the rules, norms, and the laws of society. Religious fundamentalists, or conservatives, justify sexism on religions grounds. It is obvious since you do not see many female ministers, priests, or rabbi's. Just recently the fundamentalists are becoming abit more liberal with gender equality, and reinterpreting the Bible's subservient roles of women. Starting in the 1970's, the egalitarian outlook has been increasing.
Egalitarians share roles, and duties are equal among males and females.
Men with a high level of education accept women as equals more than lower socio-economic status men. Negative attitudes can affect a woman's performance in a given job. There are many pressures to live up to. Positive self concept is essential for a woman to climb the corporate ladder of success. Some Americans even go so far as to blame the working woman for the break down of the nuclear family, and for social disorganization, thus creating juvenile delinquents, or insecurities within children.