Well, one of the biggest problems is that we (generic we) are our worst enemies in this regard. Again, I point to how Carter's character has been nearly destroyed on Stargate. They started out writing her as the grrl, but at least there was potential to grow beyond that. Eventually, though, they took all her strength and honor and in twisting it to suit their own wet dreams perverted the character to the point where I wouldn't want to be in the same *room* with her, let alone interact with her. And what do I keep hearing? How Sam Carter is such a wonderful role model. The only way she's a 'role model' in my home is that I point out her errors in judgment and flaws in character to my 13 year old whenever I see them.

We (again, generic) accept straw women in place of true strength and independence and until we stop doing that, we're going to always be victims-in-waiting.