I understand why they would react that way.
Studies consistently show that young adult males, typically between the ages of 18 and 34, are the most avid readers of science fiction. Here are some statistics to support this claim:
1. A 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center found that among adults aged 18-29, 47% of men reported reading science fiction, compared to 34% of women in the same age group.
2. A 2015 study by the publishing industry website, Goodreads, analyzed the reading habits of over 40,000 users and found that 62% of male users aged 18-24 listed science fiction as one of their favorite genres, compared to 45% of female users in the same age group.
3. A 2013 survey by the market research firm, Nielsen, reported that 55% of males aged 18-34 read science fiction compared to 41% of females in the same age group.
All this statistics goes to prove why most people are surprised when I tell them I enjoy reading Sci-Fi, this statistics is what also pushed me to create this site, a website where both genders can enjoy reading Sci-Fi tailored to them whether they are twenty something or 60 something.