I am sure both sexes do this....I see men use their girls as an emotional whipping boy too, baiting them into arguments, etc. It's attempted with me, I am a better debater, more intelligent, more calculated, and I read people better, also have a deep cruel streak, (that is mostly held in check) as a result of analyzing people. Whereas they don't really understand what motivates me, and therefore my strengths and weaknesses, I understand theirs. So, I know where to hit, if I want to. I often don't engage, and tell them so, esp. if it's via text.
About a month ago, a girl I go out with sometimes, did something similar. We go to see a movie, which is rare I go with anyone to a movie, solo movies is a passion of mine, and other people interfere, as was the case here. After the movie, we are walking out, and I am talking about various points of critique about the movie, and she is like seething because I didn't take my trash out of the theater and throw it away, which consisted of a box of candy, and a small drink. I said 'Oh, I honestly do that all the time, and I don't mean it as disrespect or condescending the people who work there, it is a bad habit', she's just going on about how could I do that, and how can I talk about the underclass and other social issues, I just said 'Thanks for coming, goodnight', and went on my way and she eventually followed me, apologizing, and she calmed down.