Professional companies need men so badly, they would never put a man into a woman's role. But I can see how a small ballet school that just is not set up for boys might do that. Putting women into men's roles is more common, of course.
Times do seem to be changing. As men, we are more comfortable showing off our bodies in the studio than we were in the 1970's --- more male dancers of all ages are wearing leotards. This is probably a good thing, since it's nearly impossible to perfect good lines wearing a T-shirt all the time.
Also, more boys seem to be studying pointe technique. Right now, it is considered a very "girly" thing, but some men and boys study it anyway because it is really no different from the rest of ballet --- and it helps in the rest of ballet as well. As more boys study pointe technique, it could conceivably become a part of the male technical arsenal, just like tendue and plier. Dancing en pointe takes a lot of strength and determination. Men en pointe don't have to be romantic wisps flitting across the ground in bouree. We could be strong, sleek, beautiful bodies moving forcefully through space. And what is more forceful than a fully stretched leg in a pointe shoe? Imagine the bravura we could have as well, when we add some pointe technique to the traditional male jumps![/i]