It happens in many walks of life, and makes little sense in any. One of my hobbies happens to be cooking, and I've been met with utterl incredulity on several occasions when I try to chat about my hobby in otherwise completely female company. Any who'd like to try and be credible as a male nurse.
That said, sitting both sides of the professional aviation fence, there are far more women pilots, with fewer problems of this nature, than women Engineers.
G