Even if they're not interested in the fields, they're definitely interested in well-paid jobs in air-conditioned offices.
Are you sure? The impression I get in NL is that women don't particular like to work too much : they favor 32 over 40 hrs. I even overheard a young woman say she went to 24 hrs ( from 32 hrs ), because 'why not?', they could afford it.
My impression is women are less ambitious and value quality of life much more than men ( I don't blame them, I try to do as little as possible as well ).
My perception is that if a man works less than full time, people think he must be a go-getter who isn’t afraid to ask his boss for it, must be earning a lot already, etc. It’s seen as an enviable position to be in. When women work less than full time they tend to be called “unambitious”.
Can't one be ambitious about not getting overworked?
Sure, if one can be lazy about doing recreational activities.
Since when is 40hrs/wk overworked? I work significantly more than that and don't consider myself overworked.