There is some chicken and egg aspect to this story, for sure. But, to the Lithwick's defense, this a blog about being a contemporary female and the issues which surround it more than a blog about the election. There is some legitimacy to paying attention to the stereotypical negative stereotypes, how they are being used, and how we as women may be using and even perpetuating them.

Our concepts of ourselves within this society are both intrinsically tied to those stereotypes, and yet in opposition to them. It is a thoughtful point of view, agree with it or not, on the complications of that dualism. I have found myself at time being the "nice girl" or the "b**ch," and afterwards wondered if it was really me, or if I was just playing a stereotype of what people excpected.

In that frame of mind, it is interesting to look at the stereotype being applied, to ask to what extent it is deserved, and finally to wonder why many women are embracing it.