If the genders were reversed and it was something along the lines of, I don't know, Lex Luthor and Cat Grant*, the majority of fans would think Cat's the one who's been done a major disservice and would be criticizing that. I'm sure that says something about society/fandom, but I'm not sure what.
*Not the best fit, I know, but I'm having a hard time coming up with female characters of a similar nature to Snapper Carr.