Men run wild, free and happy as women claw about looking for love in all the wrong men and places. Complain like a victim, behave like a victim and you are a victim. You'll be the victim of poor network background work. Women are victims of their own weakness that has evolved. Television was once a veritable repository of strong women.
Fictional characters reflect the era through the prism of writers' and creators' experiences.
The female characters of 1950's and 1960's TV reflect a culture beholden to women, respectful, and not unusually, afraid of them. Marshal Dillon and Doc both consulted Miss Kitty on perplexing matters of town and patient management. Laura Petrie had a partnership with Rob, not just a marriage. Even Aunt Bee directed Sheriff Andy around by the ear. Compare these female characters to the neurotic Ally McBeal or Seinfeld's sophomoric Elaine.