You could be right. Being funny is basically about seeking approval - so obvioulsy more work needs to be done in schools and in the home on making young girls as needy and desperate as boys. Interestingly a recent study purported to show that second children are funniest, as they are the least secure.
This comedy hothousing through neurosis seems to be working in the case of my teenage niece, who has body image problems, a much prettier (and humourless) elder sister, and a deeply resented younger sister. The girl is showing signs of possessing a real comic gift.