I think it's something much more basic. I just finished a SciFi novel about a future where the military ranks are mixed with women regularly kicking butt, and as you've all pointed out, you'd have to be dead not to notice it in movies etc.. as well. I'm 210 pounds and got through my Uni on a wrestling scholarship, and I've always just thought it was cute; a way to use sex to sell a movie, book, etc.., not something that anyone would take seriously. But this book had a pic of the author inside the jacket and he was a wimpish fellow. I got to thinking, and looking around, and I'm sure a large part is that many of these script writers, authors,etc.. really think it's true! In their fantasies women protect them, and they like it. And not only physical saviors and heroes, but moral as well. As one guy said "Oh Ann Coulter! Please marry me! I'll do the cooking, cleaning...anything!
And even better, Mia Hamm on that commercial where she threw Michael Jordan over her shoulder. Michael had to jump to help her, but afterwards she claimed she really threw him!
I think if she were alive in our day, Deborah would have just backed Sisera, it's so bad.