Why choose Xena as an example of woman going beyond the traditional gender role. She is not a woman in the program. She is a male in a womans body. Why not chose a caracter that is strong and independent and still is a woman?

I think you bring up an important point, Dana. Though Xena is definitely a strong and independent woman, her lack of femininity implies that in order to be strong, women must act like men.

I must also say that Xena character is just so much like a man. The writer who make up what Xena says makes her sound so masculine. Some of here quotes make her more of a man then Hercules. It may be why viewers don’t find Xena to be a girlie kind of show Xena character has the sound of a man.

Personally, I feel that Buffy, from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is a better representation of women than Xena is. She acts like a female even though she fights vampires and is stronger than most guys.

Well, who determines what is "feminine" and what is "masculine." Obviously, if you were a fan of the show, you would see both so-called "feminine" and "masculine" attributes in Xena... I think that Xena
is a perfect role model, because she is not perfect and she has gone through a lot. Only Xenites would understand, so if anyone who is reading just thinks that Xena is "masculine," you're totally wrong, and you are misleading a lot of people. Watch before you comment please!

YOU'RE ALL WRONG, XENA ROCKS THIS PLANET... BETTER THAN BUFFY, BETTER THAN SCULLY... I'M 100% SURE THAT
THE PEOPLE WHO POSTED MESSAGES ON XENA NOT BEING A MODEL ARE JUST SCARED THAT THEIR MODELS ARE NOT BEING AS RECOGNIZED!!! XENA IS VERY FEMIMININE... WATCH THE SHOW FOR GOD'S SAKE!!! DON'T BE FOOLED BY FIRST LOOKS AND IMAGES!

Xena's the best role model you can ever find out there so hah!

You're right Dana, Xena ain't no goody-goody girl, she's tough, a good fighter, and very very serious, almost brooding...BUT, she also loves, cries, hurts, and cares like any "feminine" woman. That's what being human and a woman is all about. That's what sets her above other female tv icons like scully, or buffy!

Xena totally rocks. If she isn't called a role model, then I think no other person on tv can be called that either. Xena may be masculine LOOKING... but she has a lot of feminine qualities, which FANS OF THE SHOW have known for quite some time. A picture of Xena can't tell non-xenites that! Xena is and will ALWAYS be the best role model on air.

Xena rules! If she isn't considered a role model, than buffy and scully don't come even close... Lucy Lawless is the best possible celebrity role model. She has handled her fame well, and has values other than wealth. She is the sexiest babe in the planet! Everytime I see her, I get a hard on, and not just because she's beautiful, but also because she has brains.

xena kicks ass she is a better role model than dana and buffy she is strong flights for want she belives in and doesn't rely on a man to do things for her

man she looks like a dang male for goodness sakes how can you enjoy the company of a female that looks like a male????? she's the ugliest thing next to Chyna.

Women do sometimes need men. Yes, it rocks to be independent, but totally shunning men is a little extreme. Personally I think Scully is the best role model on TV (well she WAS - no more X-Files, sob...). She gets the balance right. She's tough yet feminine, smart AND sexy (in her own way), independent, yet still relies on men when she needs to. And, kicking ass in high heels? Now THAT'S a role model. Obviously we don't want a bimbo role-model who needs a man to do everything for her. But at the same time, the other extreme is hardly better. We shouldn't be given the notion that you need to look like a female wrestler or body-builder to make your mark. Buffy is also a great role model, although she's more of a save-the-world kinda heroine. Something out of a comic book. Whereas Scully is someone I think more women can relate to. She was pivotal in showing the world that women who like science are not geeks; that being intelligent and passionate about your work can be sexy, as opposed to a hindrance. Women of science should truly be grateful for the character Dana Scully!