In some schools and universities girls often select arts subjects, for instance, literature, and boys often choose science subjects, such as, physics. Why do you think this is so? Should this tendency be changed?

It is often asserted that girls prefer to study art subjects like home economics, literature, geography and history whereas boys tend to pick up science related subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics at the secondary and higher level of education.
Undoubtedly, the difference in subject choice between sexes does exist in all parts of the globe. One of the primary reason for this selective trend is the basic difference between the two genders. To specify, it has been proved by several researches that there are subtle difference in the mental makeup and working capacity of the male and female brain. Girls have been consistently performing better in subjects like arts because of their increased capacity to memorize facts and figures, and their tenacity. Contrarily, the male brain usually has more analytical power than their female counterpart.
Additionally, societal norms and pressures often tend to create this bias between boys and girls.Society believes that girl will do better in arts-related subjects whilst boys will excel in science. In a recent survey conducted by one of the prestigious universities of the United Kingdom. It was seen that over 60% of female students took up literature whereas only 20% of male students studied home science.
Whether this selective tendency needs to be changed or not is a controversial topic. To my mind, it can be changed only partially because we can societal outlook towards a particular profession or stream.
To conclude, it can be propounded that there is a definite selection bias in subjects between girls and boys which is partly due to biological differences and partially to societal benefits. Societal mindset can definitely be changed over time to decrease this selection bias.