Women and Being Independent

I often have heard women say they want to be independent.  What gets me about this is they are listening to there friends advice about a guy when they don't necessarily know him.  If a woman wants to really be independent she should make up her own mind about a guy and not always listening to the advice of her friends, family members etc etc etc.   To me if a woman's friends want to put down her boyfriend then make sure that they actually have proof of him cheating on her.   Don't always listen to the rumors.   How do i know so much about this because I've actually lost relationships where a lady would listen to everyone else about me before checking out the information.    It's very hurtful when a lady I'm dating and her friends are always talking smack about me when they don't even know me.   Bascially stop assuming because you make a you  know what out of you and me.   So if all you ladies want to really be independent then make up your own mind about a guy and not listen to the advice of your friends.  Sometimes your friends can lead you astray.  You might actually miss out on getting to know a great guy who might have bad boy ways like that you like thats if that is your kind of guy.   How would you ever know if your always listening to everyone else all the time with the exception of the Creator.