I think it is well accepted that females have biological differences from males, and that those differences manifest themselves in the type of play they engage in. For monkees the type of play exhibited is different- with young males establishing a pecking order, and young females doing the same but in different ways...

None of this changes the fact that human females can and do contribute in what some would claim to be male fields. Stereotypes are stupid. I have worked with many women that have been among the leaders in their field in the hard sciences. Several of the people that were responsible for the whole laser guide star concept coming to fruition were BRILLIANT women whose opinions I have relied upon many times... When it comes to most areas of laser technology I will defer to them as the true experts.

I find it interesting that different areas of science have differing levels of female representation. Everywhere I went to school it was clear that the percentage of women in Astronomy was much higher than those in Physics. I would also say that female representation in Math graduate programs was higher than in physics. I think geology also has a growing percentage of women... I think our culture plays some part in these differences, but I think it is safe to assume biology plays a role.

Oh, and as for what the genders like to play with, when I was VERY young I apparently had a strong affinity for stuffed animal dolls... I moved along with age to the other extreme- pyrotechnics and rockets... I dont think my young affinity for 'dolls' is anything negative - after all- what guy 30+ years old worth his salt DIDNT play with and collect star wars dolls as a kid... I remember begging my parents for those... I unfortunately severely damaged all my collection when I was allowed to play with firecrackers and would simulate violent battles with my collection and pyrotechnics....