do parents have different hopes and standards for their sons then for their daughters?

That used to be the case some generations ago, but many men and women have careers that were strictly one gender.
Take nursing for example; it was 100% women, but we now have male nurses.
Some parents may still try to influence their children's career field, but gender-wise, it doesn't matter too much any more.
I think our economy still has growing to do with the area of glass ceilings and equal pay for women.