it couldn't possibly be at least partly because profiling is alive and well in the work place... and that ones parents economic position strongly influences the number and quality of opportunities you might receive... or anything like that would it.
And don't forget, there is still unequal pay for women in this country even when their education level and experience level matches or even exceeds male counterparts.
Prejudice is alive and well in this country. I think many of the posts on this board demonstrate that.