Question

Why are women often carriers of X-linked traits but rarely affected by them?

Answer 1

Women have two X chromosomes.Recessive alleles on one X chromosome are often masked by dominant alleles on the other chromosome.Women will not be affected unless they receive two recessive alleles.

Answer 2

Women have two x chromosomes, compared to men who have one x and one y chromosome. Because of the two x chromosomes, one of them can override the other. In men they only have one x and one y, they don't have the extra x chromosome to override the allele.