Further on that point, perhaps men don't require as much higher education to make a decent living, at least to start. As a woman, I got a degree because it was the only path I saw to be able to earn close to what my brothers were earning without one in blue collar jobs. As time has progressed however they have become less employable as the job market shifted around but my career has advanced. There was also motivators for me that my brothers didn't have; financial independence. A woman without an education was a lot more limited than a man. For you a PHD wasn't necessary but for a woman it might what is needed to work against gender bias.