This is a perennial attitude problem in the church.  John Paul II stated that women needed either a husband or Christ as a spouse to be complete.  Augustine said that woman did not image God unless joined with her husband.
Funny thing is, when I read the Creation story in Genesis, it was the MAN who was incomplete, whose life lacked purpose and meaning, who was alone, until he had woman as a partner.
I propose the following attitude adjustments to Catholic thinking:
Men and women equally need each other-not at all times and in all places in their lives, but they do need each other.
This need is not limited to sexual or spousal interactions, but requires friendship, professional, spiritual and co-worker relationships.
Abstract femininity ("Mother Church," projection of idealized femininity on Mary) is not an acceptable substitute for needing real women in one's life.
Those who are served (usually men) must humbly recognize their dependency on those who serve them (usually women).