Final answer:
In recent decades, women have been entering the workforce in increasing numbers and earning higher degrees at higher rates than men. However, factors like household responsibilities and interruptions in careers can lower women's average wages, leading to disparities in pay for women with families and children.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is not accurate to say that female occupations typically require less education and have lower status. In fact, in recent decades, women have been entering the workforce in increasing numbers and earning higher degrees at higher rates than men. This has resulted in many women being better positioned to obtain high-paying, high-skill jobs.
However, there are factors that can lower women's average wages, such as bearing a disproportionately large share of household responsibilities and the likelihood of interrupting their careers to care for children. As a result, women with families and children may be paid less than other women of similar education and work experience.
Overall, it is important to recognize that gender disparities in education and job status are influenced by various factors and cannot be generalized across all occupations.