This discussion is interesting because I’ve seen this happen. I think everyone hit on a few of the reasons why many Blacks pursue lower paying majors but my experience is that it’s the combination of many of these forces all together at work with the addition of low expectations and positive reinforcement of the decision.
I know many blacks that are my age and older (my kids are in college now) that are in social work, education and government jobs because there were fewer opportunities outside these areas that are genuinely proud of their kids who follow in their footsteps. At the same time, their white teachers and guidance counselor and professors have the low expectations that see them in these jobs while steering them away from more technical areas.
There is far less reinforcement for making the choice of a STEM degree than there is for a non-STEM degree. I don’t think it’s intentional either. My background is a STEM background and I work in a technical field. Few people in my family have an interest in my work. They simply can’t relate to what I do nor do they understand it. Other family members receive much more social support for what they do for a living but not me. I get it but its hard for many people to lose that social support from their own family. That would make some question their choice.
My friends who are entrepreneurs are similarly situated. Many of them grew up in very entrepreneurial homes. Those that didn’t grow up like that seem to receive much less social support for their entrepreneurial ventures and often hear things like why don’t you just get a job.