I was pleased to have just squeezed into the list of "star correspondents" (That was the year..., The Press, January 17) with 21 letters published in The Press during 2007.

I think I understand why more letters from male readers are printed than from female.

Firstly, men are often more opinionated and can be aggressively keen to make their views known regardless of what others think, whereas women may be more socially refined and able to see others' opinions, or be less willing to "tread on toes" or upset people.

Secondly, and more importantly, more women are "home-makers", and are thus more likely to be busy looking after their offspring and/or spouse, and may therefore have less time to read the paper and to spend time composing letters.

I do not know if these are the reasons, but in the absence of any other theories, that's my take on it.... and my first opinionated, male, time-to-spare letter of the year!

John Cossham, Hull Road, York.