OG 244:grain在这里是什么意思?

244. Like their male counterparts, women scientists are above average in terms of intelligence and creativity, but unlike men of science, their female counterparts have had to work against the grain of occupational stereotyping to enter a "man's world."

(A)  their female counterparts have had to work

(B)  their problem is working

(C)  one thing they have had to do is work

(D)  the handicap women of science have had is to work

(E)   women of science have had to work

grain在这里是什么意思?

character