Was it just assumed if sex of the subject was not stated the subject would be
male or is there a different reason?
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question
compounds
Why does 子 often default to male in compunds?
I'm not sure at what level you are asking _why_ , but dictionaries state that
子 sometimes man specifically.

> [子](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/kanji/%E5%AD%90/)
>
> ④ **おとこ** 。「男子」 ⑤ **成人した男子** の敬称。特に、地位のある人や学徳のすぐれた人に対する敬称。「君子」「孔子」「夫子」

> [子](https://ja.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%AD%90)
>
>   1. 男女の間に生まれた者。または、それ同様に育てられた者。または、そのような者と同様の責務を負う者（対義語 親：おや）
>
> **1.そのうちの男。むすこ。** （対義語 女：むすめ）
>
>

Etymologically, it should be more or less because of the male centric nature
of older times, just like most Western words for male counterpart being
markerless (as in _prince/princess_ ).
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answer