Actually you can trace the explosion of the welfare state back to women getting the right to vote. If I recall, before then the only thing even resembling welfare was a small government payout to the widows of Civil War soldiers. I not sure if it has to do with women's "mothering instinct" or what, but they seem to be much more accepting of socialism in the form of big government and social spending than men. (Of course I'm speaking in general terms, I know there are many conservative women who don't fit the profile).
Most hate math and have difficulty with ‘story problems’. Well, 99% of economics is exactly that, story problem math.
They are great at seeing fine detail, but not very interested in the details of things they can't see in front of them, like economic projections.
Most would rather watch soap operas than news.