444, you're not crazy, but you do make some assumptions in your first post that assume things that are not necessarily true. You assume that because
some women are irresponsible with their purses that all women have that tendency. You also assume that the purse itself is an attractant to the bad guys.
On your first assumption, you are way off base. Just because Bobbi Jo can't remember where her head is, let alone her purse, doesn't mean that any other female is going to do the same. In fact, carrying the gun in the purse is likely to result in a little more responsibility with it... in much the same way that we who carry are less likely to exhibit anger and hot-headedness in order to avoid confrontations than our "naked" counterparts.
On your second assumption, bad guys look for EASY targets, not just for purses. I always carry my purse across the body (bandolier style, over the left shoulder, under the right) with the firearm pocket towards me. And I actually hug it to a certain degree. This does several things. First, my posture and my carry method eliminates me as an "easy" target and highly increases the chances that the bad guy will go for the little old lady who can barely walk, let alone hang on to a purse that weighs a ton. But should some dumbass still think I'm a good target, cross body carry makes it impossiblefor someone to slip it off an arm. And my "hugging" posture means I still hold the bulk of the purse should the bad guy decide he's gong to get it by cutting the strap. Additionally, with the firearm pocket towards me, I am hiding it from view, and, at least for my purse, it puts the zipper opening on the right side. Since I'm right handed it makes it infinitely easier to access the firearm with a quick zip and grab.
Sure, it's not an ideal carry method, but there are just some circumstances a woman faces that prevent on-the-body carry. Women's business fashions aren't as sturdy as men's and thus don't facilitate holsters that hang on them very well. And when concealability remains a key factor, there are just some clothes that would show no matter how she chose to carry. Where would you hide a firearm with a blouse, a bra, panties, hosiery, a knee-length skirt, and 1" pumps? Keep in mind that women's blouses and skirts are fitted and rarely allow room for anything to be "hidden" underneath. I know you've seem pantylines before.
There's more to be said for situational awareness than you're giving credit to on this argument. Besides, when I do get the chance to carry on-the-body, it simply means I have 2 firearms for protection rather than just the one.