Others have said it, and I second/third/affirm it. Parents influence as much as anything else. I was that tomboy, and brought home frogs and lizards. It wasn't until I lived on my own in college that my mom let it be known to me she not only didn't like snakes, she HATED snakes. (I can't make the font large enough to portray the earth-shattering, oscar winning performance that went on.) She never let it influence me. My daughter is nearly 16, and she loves all animals, including Ts and snakes, just as much as I do. It may not find her a boyfriend anytime soon (fine by me !) but it may help her get a job. My late husband didn't mind them as long as they were caged, but he had zero interest in them. He never discouraged our daughter from any goal she wanted, either.I was checking out the reptiles and inverts at Petland the other day. I saw a mother and her young daughter wander into the back of the store where I was. The mother saw the terrariums and said "Oh, I don't like this area." She then headed back to the puppy area with her daughter in tow. Young girls are programmed early in life to avoid anything that's not cute and cuddly.
Marga