'Buffy' is good role model

LONDON, March 8 (UPI) -- A British school official has cited U.S. TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as a prime example of the strong role models girls need to help them succeed.

"If we believe that television can be a powerful influence on young lives, and who doesn't, then having a balance of 'strong' and 'gentle' characters of both sexes is important," David Bell, chief school inspector told Monday's Guardian.

"So, I can't get excited enough to insist that Postman Pat is accompanied on his rounds by Postwoman Patricia in the interests of fairness and justice," Bell said. "But more power to the elbow of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a strong fictional female character if there was ever one."

Bell said positive role models in the media were crucial to helping girls overcome inferior feelings that often led to poorer grades at the university level, fewer promotions and lower pay than men.