To be fair, biologically speaking, we all have a drive that we can't help to have some kiddos so we can send our genes into the future, and many women find this to be a very rewarding part of their lives. I've known some women who, even though they were very successful in their careers, decide to lighten up their work schedule so they can go meet a man and have some kids (oftentimes because it was what many of their friends were doing XD). Sometimes these women come back to work, and sometimes they don't, and there's nothing wrong with finding satisfaction in rearing and raising a family.
However, I do see your point that the whole women rivalry can be a very boring and tired thing in stories. It's just our nature as human beings to battle for the hand of the most attractive male/female, which is why I, too, tend to just avoid these stories. I'm far more into stories that feature the kind of... Rejected boy/girl who no one is pining for and then they meet another rejected boy/girl who's like them. Awkward/ugly people need love too, dammit! XD These types of stories also peel back those unfortunate facets of human nature that we can't help (wanting to be with the hottest guy or gal) and shine a light on how less desirable people can be lovely in their own right.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a story with women competing for a guy or vice versa. Sometimes there are trashy romance movies on TV and I just leave them on because they're so entertaining. Afterward I think to myself, "why did I watch that?" LOL.