For me most part I agree with your take. However, having lived for some years in Algeria (which I believe has quite a lot of resemblances to Egypt), I don't fully agree that a girl "likely has not been exposed to outside ideas very much". Even in very inland cities most of the girls are exposed to the "western way of life and thinking" whether directly or indirectly through Lebanese TV, music, movies.

Eventually, the social pressure, surpasses all the wishes and desires or these girls to whom a life studies delay their inevitable fate.

I remember one day being invited for lunch by a supplier and he was very excited because he was getting married and wanted to invite me. I then asked what was his bride doing for a living and he answered that she was finishing her PHD just in time for the wedding. I was quite surprised and happy that he would be marrying such a distinctly educated woman and asked if she was going to pursue an academic career to which he coldly answered: "No way, the condition for me to marry her was that she would quit any career endeavor and stay at home having and raising our kids!"

Of course, I politely refused to be present in his wedding!