I DO REMEMBER THAT POST and ugh yes, I have seen people legit pretty much argue that female characters were "weak" because they were mothers, which is just... such utter bullshit. And like there's a part of me that gets the frustration with Brennan specifically I guess, because yes we do need to break away from the stereotype that all women want to ~settle down~ and nest and whatever, but... some women do want that! AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT AND WE SHOULDN'T SHAME THEM FOR IT. But also re: Brennan, is it really so weird that she would change her mind? People grow and change. I'm not sure I want kids and I have verbally said as much to people but... who's to say I won't want that, someday? I don't think it changes my strength as a person either way. It's just so stupid, the minefields we have for girls that just DON'T EXIST for men. I mean when has fandom EVER reacted negatively to fatherhood?

I am stuck on what you said about questioning why, because I think that's pretty much just the crux of this issue, it's like people are so focused on breaking some mold that they don't even step back to take stock of what's being shattered in the process.

ALSO LOL @ ME REPLYING TO YOUR COMMENT TOTALLY OUT OF ORDER I'M SO SORRY, but ahhh the specific way you phrased this: "And I love your point about how a lot of characters can be strong in the first two ways that you mentioned, but how many of them are really "strong" in the third." made me think about it in a new way, because really at this point it kind of is lazy writing to just made a head-bitch-in-charge type. It's like they sit down and say "well we need a strong woman" and just go to the default. I REALLY DO LOVE A LOT OF FANDOM'S ~FEMINIST~ HEROINES BUT AT THIS POINT COLD/SARCASTIC/TOUGH IS STARTING TO BORE ME?!? I JUST NEED BALANCE! Variety!

Anyway thank you for this lovely thoughtful not-too-late-at-all comment!