When you think of a car mechanic, what gender comes to mind? How about when you think of a nurse?

There are many jobs that are clearly associated to one gender but there is mounting evidence that differences in ability can't account for the high degree of specialization along gender lines.

Ernesto Reuben is an associate professor of economics at NYU Abu Dhabi, and specializes in understanding gender roles in the labor market. His research finds that, once set, stereotypes continue to drive specialization and hiring decisions even after it is commonly known that there are no gender differences in ability.