Forming an early interest in science and math is encouraged in men, Fennig said. Earning potential continues to be affected by this trend even through graduate studies. Fennig says she takes special interest in women who take a crack at start-up ventures. I ask myself which students are willing to take the risk to be entrepreneurs. As women, we are taught to be risk-intolerant.
New ventures are very risky.
There are more women, and therefore their numbers should be bigger in dollar amounts. But there's a big pull on women not to take chances. The census study finds that the majority of women, about 58 percent, work in support and service professions, including clerical and sales jobs, many of which offer comparatively low pay. About 30 percent of men work in these fields. Vess says she believes societal discrimination also explains the disparity in wages.