Audience expectation is an endless topic for discussion among performers. I enjoy it as a method of trying to fathom the human mind among other reasons. I've had an experience that touches on the male/female perspective.
In an entirely appropriate place I once sang a version of "The Wee One" (Traditional song about a man being left with a baby that is not his. Serious and sad - sung in the first person and that's how I kept it.) I'm known for singing sad old songs and people frequently cry or at least listen soberly. This song brought laughter from men and women. Nobody has ever thought that similar songs sung about women left with babies (admittedly their own) were funny. A male friend has had the same experience with this particular song. Strange! Cheers, Joy