I think male end links allow for shorter lugs from a practical standpoint. This of course is negated in many ways with the end links themselves. But I suppose if the bracelet is an afterthought to the case and lugs, or if they are that much cheaper to manufacture, you get male end links.
I mostly don’t mind them, depending on how the entire watch and bracelet feel and look, but I do have one watch in particular where they REALLY bother me at times. They look like this enormous shroud and adding the male end link length from each side together you probably get 1/3 to 1/2 the case diameter.
Vaer