The British Psychological Society points to an article by researchers at the University of Geneva that addresses the affect of gender stereotypes on academic performance and asserts:

It is possible that women are less likely to embrace scientific careers than men because gender stereotypes lead them to underestimate their past achievement.

Jon Hyman of Ohio Employer’s Law Blog and Carrie Kurzon of the New York Employment Lawyer Blog write about a new buzzword “maternal profiling,” which is defined as “employment discrimination against a woman who has, or will have, children.”  Mr. Hyman aptly notes:

[I]t certainly appears that family responsibility discrimination is going to be a key employment issue in 2008 and beyond. Depending on how the political winds blow after the November elections, FMLA expansion, paid sick and parental leave, and incentives for family-friendly work programs will all be in play in 2009.

See also

• Chatard , A., Guimond , S. & Selimbegovic , L. (2007). "How good are you in math?" The effect of gender stereotypes on students' recollection of their school marks. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 43, 1017-1024.
• MomsRising.org: Maternal Profiling: A New York Times Buzzword