I've certainly heard many fine singers of ballads, though probably more females than males on balance (or maybe those are the performances that are more attractive to me?).
I'm thinking Jeannie Robertson, Lizzie Higgins, Lucy Stewart, Elizabeth Stewart, Belle Stewart, Sheila Stewart. And Jean Ritchie, Margaret MacArthur, Hedy West, Sheila Kay Adams. To my shame, I've not listened to much at all of Elizabeth Cronin or Sarah Makem or English singers.
And I've heard and seen many fine younger singers from the revival - Gordeanna, Heather Heywood, Chris Coe, Sara Grey, Judy Cook (and I'm sure I've missed out many more in the effort of concentration that typing is for me!).
Male singers of ballads whose performances have attracted me are more of a revival vintage (and I'm not producing a list).
But I was interested, in the original post, in the preponderance of women at our sessions - and the fact that almost half the participants were under 35. Could it be that younger men in traditional music are putting more of their energies into mastering instruments? And could that be something to do with role models?
If so, then what is it that might predispose us to these choices - does gender enter into it?