One of the strong beliefs of second-wave feminism was that men and women had only minor biological differences. Genitals, muscle mass, but nothing different in brains or intellect.

Except now there's been research done that shows that men's and women's brains are different. Simon Baron-Cohen (cousin of you know who) is a leading researcher in this. His theory is that men are more systematic and women are more empathic. (Web page with tests here.)

So could it be that there are more male programmers because they find it easier, more enjoyable? And fewer woman because it doesn't come as naturally (or the ones who do find it easy are rarer)?

Or maybe it's just that there are all these female programmers out there, but they're shy.