I really like women better than men; they are braver, one can be more frank with them

Hi,
Here are some words from the novel Lady Chatterley's Lover（page 79, Chapter Six) by DH Lawrence (planetebook):
(background: The following is what Tommy Dukes said, whose opinion is usually Lawrence's……）

‘Oh, but they do! I don’t think since the human species was invented, there has ever been a time when men and women have liked one another as much as they do today. Genuine liking! Take myself. I really like women better than men; they are braver, one can be more frank with them.’　

Why did Lawrence/Michaelis think women were better, braver and franker then men please?
Thank you in advance

Yeah maybe. Most women are pretty earnest, and for the most part self-effacing and inhibited. I do believe though, with certainly some exceptions, that males are generally funnier than females. (Hope that doesn't make me a traitor to my gender.