One reason why this might be is that pursuing intelligence goals in masculine fields, such as STEM conflicts with pursuing romantic goals associated with traditional romantic scripts and gender norms.

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Shatkin believes the women who pursue typically masculine jobs, bravely bucking employment gender norms, likely have a strong personality fit and talent for the work, which would contribute to higher satisfaction levels.

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That, in and of itself, imposes an unfair burden on her to be better than the pool of applicants who are negotiating within the norms of their gender group.

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Norms and values in most societies are still far from being gender neutral and the status of women in general is not yet equal to that of men.

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences