Deborah, I quote Willie Nelson's song title and offer it to you as advice if you don't like the sexism in folk songs:

"WRITE YOUR OWN DAMN SONGS"

That's what I do... I am a Christian and I cannot stomach much of what is called music these days... Instead of bemoaning my fate or compromising my faith by playing these awful things for a buck, I write my own and never once pause to care whether anyone likes them or not. They're mine. If a sexist pig doesn't like songs about free-willed, independent women, tough stuff for them, I guess. I stay at home and write songs and minister online (I am a preacher as well as a musician) while my wife has the job that takes care of the immediate money needs.

In short, Deborah, just write from your heart and let God inspire you. You can't go wrong that way.