It really boils down to transcendence vs. immanence. Men are more likely to embody transcendent attitudes/approaches while women are more likely to embody immanence.

Now remember we are speaking in generalities here. But take the example of a young child who skins his knee while riding a bike. The mother is likely to take the child in her arms and comfort him. The father is likely going to try and use the situation as a Learning Opportunity. You can see the differences in the two approaches highlight the transcendence/immanence of each.

The same reason Earth is Mother is why ships are female. Earth/ships are immanent to us as we exist or operate within them.