You can make a better living as a tradesperson:

1. Start earning money right away as an apprentice. No massive student debt.

2. Live outside of high-COL cities.

3. Skills valuable everywhere, instead of specific industries (eg. finance jobs only in certain cities).

4. Optimise/minimise your own taxes.

5. Housing is our single biggest expense in life, so build it yourself and save.

6. Easy to hire employees and start a medium-sized business if you want.

Maybe men are just 'smarter' and have realised this?