The weird thing about that (okay, one weird thing) is that Sherlock Holmes was written as tragic. Watson felt sorry for him. Partly Watson wanted Sherlock to get married, because Watson was so happy being married, he couldn't understand why anyone else would not be, if married to a good and intelligent person. But more legitimately, Watson felt sorry for Sherlock's inability to connect intimately with other human beings. And then there was that whole drug abuse thing.

Sherlock Holmes was not supposed to be a role model.

Oh AND women were always an important part of the Sherlock stories. The Red-Headed League is the only one I can think of that didn't have a woman in a central role.