Selling matrimony on prime time is ditzy. Women are victims innocent huddled masses yearning to be free of male troglodyte tycoons. 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.