I actually don't think it's a performance thing. If we're going with anecdotes here, the few people I know who went into teaching (3 women, 1 man): 1.) Did it

I actually don't think it's a performance thing. If we're going with anecdotes here, the few people I know who went into teaching (3 women, 1 man): 1.) Did it because they found the work extremely meaningful 2.) Were already used to living in poverty and accepted that it would continue as a professional. 3.) Knew that any future family/kids would be dependent on having a spouse that earned more than them. I've talked to some men who considered that path, but a few told me they wouldn't pursue it because they'll need to be the breadwinner if they want a family some day, and they can't do that comfortably (without a second job) on a teacher's paycheck. Sorta makes sense though, the men who are most talented and interested in working with children are also most likely to want children of their own. And unfortunately societal pressures do still tell men that they are responsible for providing economically, and that doing so is critical to being attractive as a partner. Hopefully that will change going forward. I know far more partnerships where a woman makes more money among my peer group than my parents know among theirs.