Midchuck, it has to do with a long tradition of masculine control of the feminine--much of which is rampant in folk songs (and pop/country songs) throughout the ages. It was only in the 20th century that women were even considered "persons". And British law allowed men to beat their women so long as the object of assault was no wider than their thumb (that's the origin of the term "rule of thumb". Hence, for me, "fairness" is attempting to right those wrongs. And I think there's a lot of great music out there that is genuinely working at doing that. The first step is to identify songs that acknowledge how inappropriately men have treated women throughout history--and how this treatment has been sanctioned by society.

When songs were about women taking power over or physically abusing men, they were considered "novelty" songs. (Eg. Bald Headed End of A Broom").

(This isn't to ever justify cruel treatment of men by women--or by other men).