In my now increasingly dated experience, combined with that of other people I know, students are much more likely to talk "life stuff" with female professors. Female students are much more likely to have more personal conversations with professors of either gender, though they heavily favor female professors for this. While female students are less likely to get into serious life stuff with male professors, they nonetheless have a greater tendency than male students to want to have *some* personal relationship with male professors, and want to perceive that they are liked personally as well as approved of academically by them.
On the other side, I think many male professors are a bit standoffish with female students in order to ensure relationships don't head off in inappropriate directions. Does not apply to gay male professors.
All gross generalizations of course.
