My hypothesis (although it is not proven by any means, it is somewhat bolstered by the social experiences of many men and women I have talked to about this) is

My hypothesis (although it is not proven by any means, it is somewhat bolstered by the social experiences of many men and women I have talked to about this) is that men prefer to take the social hit of being ostracized, since they work alone on their pursuits anyway, more often than women. (e.g. http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/08/why-women-prefer-working-together-and-why-men-prefer-working-alone/278888/ http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/08/why-wome...) Totally agree though, that both men and women do face this social ostracism, and that eliminating it would be hugely beneficial. I think we differ in the belief that it is the primary reason for the low number of women in the tech sector.