Just fifty years ago the majority of women were not yet in the workplace.
Fifty percent of single women and and forty percent of married women were not yet apart of the official workforce in the 70s. To have made the gains they have done in the ensuing years is nothing short of phenomenal, particularly as few if any professions are now regarded as solely a man's domain.
The key issue faced by women regarding poker was for decades they were essentially barred from playing the game- it was completely frowned upon. It could be argued a legacy of that would be the patronizing attitude many women still face when attempting to enter the game, a matter which has been discussed on these very boards.
I'd love to say that within ten years there will be a marked increase in women playing but I am not sure of that (sadly). Last bastion syndrome. Just this
wsop you had yet another manly-man insert himself into the women's tournament and Phil Helmuth go on yet another vulgar rant. As I have noted before, I think many on the periphery of poker witnessing such things, newbies let alone women, do not find the game as much of a draw as they should.
As for the animal kingdom take, I find that a stretch. Contemporary males aren't out on the plain taking down buffalo. And if they hunt that would likely be with the use of a high powered hunting rifle from a few hundred yards away. Not exactly the days of yore. Is it a thing men kill their 'step' children to insert themselves into a household? I don't think so...we now have 'stay at home dads'.
If there was a marked decrease in chauvinism I think the women's game would grow rapidly, but I think ultimately it will be gradual generational change. In the interim many women will prefer to attend their own tournaments - which by the by do show strong growth.