Going to have to disagree with that. The manipulative people I've known are very aware of what they're doing, often more so than the person being manipulated.
I knew a guy at work that was great with the ladies. I heard him chatting with a woman and he brought up the fact that he had 3 sisters. He used that info as a way to portray himself as more understanding of their plights and woes.
When there were no women around, he told me that having 3 sisters allowed him to better take advantage of their weaknesses.
Or perhaps he was raised by 3 manipulative sisters? That can have a damaging effects as well. In his specific case, in a way maybe he learnt from the best. Just trying to illustrate that .manipulation is probably not gender specific.
Side note, the most manipulative person I've ever known, was completely aware of exactly what she was doing.
The commonality in our anecdotes is that manipulators go to great lengths to pretend to be someone else, gas lighting all along the way.
Also there is a strong (but not absolute) correlation between manipulators and narcissists, everything is about them and so well masked that even their closest friends have no idea how they truly are.
They may even create false narratives publicly against the victim/partner simply to win favor.
Very much in the spirit of Amber Heard.
Something to consider.