For example, in the case of rape women were once too embarrassed to report the crime to a male dominated police force that was awash with sexist beliefs about women and their position in society.

A rise in consumer anxiety, in turn, is the very driving force behind women's disinterest in transacting with male service providers or sales persons.

Male participation in the work force fell from 80 percent in 1970 to 75 percent by 2000, wile female participation rose from 43 to 60 percent.