A study has found that the participation rate of women in the workforce has decreased since 2000 largely due to a lack of middle-class jobs. Although some believe that this decline is a result of the gender pay gap, insufficient maternity leave, or endemic harassment, top economists now believe women and men are leaving the workforce for similar reasons. Specifically, low-skill jobs are paying less now due to offshoring or increased technology. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen has also warned that overlooking the discrimination women face in the workforce will result in a loss to the productivity of the US economy and waste the potential of many citizens.
See "Why are so many women dropping out of the workforce?", Natalie Kitroeff, The Spokesman-Review, June 19, 2017