I think there's a lot of truth in the "rescue fantasy" thing. (How else explain the popularity of crap like The Bachelor, which I thought was demeaning to women - until I saw "Flava of Love" and "Rock of Love"). I dunno whether it's nature or nurture but it's depressing.

When I wrote I never wrote original male characters. They don't interest me and I absolutely cannot identify with them. (This in spite of the fact that I've been told I'm distinctly "unfeminine" in character). In fact, I've generally never had much interest in them as real historical characters, either individually or collectively. They are, and always will be The Other.