Another thought I had while reading your article is of a book I am reading (listening to through Libby, actually) where the main character is a female private detective. This is my second read of the series; as I got into the books I was impressed at such an intense, strong female character - exacting righteous consequences on some truly horrible characters of any gender. But, she has no emotions about any of it other than fury at what the other characters - criminals - have done. Which begs the question, is that what a “strong character” of any gender looks like - emotionless and largely unaffected about the consequences of their actions, however justified those actions may be? What would it take for a male or female character to be considered strong/principled, while also acknowledging the gray areas of humanity?

(Strong female characters also rarely have children. Male characters exacting justice might have kids but they’re being cared for by…wives, ex-wives, their own mothers or sisters 🙄.)