A Question For the Men

[raveness_d]

Or, rather, heterosexual men.

Strong Women. Do you find them attractive, or intimidating?
Do you find relationships with strong women emasculating?
Are they even relationship material,simply points of interest, something that is to be avoided?
A turn-off, or on?

Strength here = Strong sense of self. Independent thinker/doer.

Comments

[sacramentalist]

I find strong women very attractive. The only things I find emasculating would be if she did things I find emasculating -- bossiness, undermining accomplishments, public embarrassment, double standards such as demanding I enjoy her interests while dismissing mine.

[raveness_d]

See, that's more just being a self-involved asshole.

[sodabottle]

Do lesbians count? :P

[raveness_d]

You can weigh in, absolutely. I only specified because of my personal reasons for asking.

[sodabottle]

I suppose as a gay woman, I don't have the same pressure to be "masculine" that a heterosexual man might feel, therefore can't really be "emasculated", but strong women are hot. I actually have a teeth-grinding hatred of useless vapid airhead women. The kind who are older than me but speak in a deliberately girlsh cutey voice and can't fucking handle their own shit. If you're smart, headstrong, you know where you're going? Damn.

I can totally see how a guy would take flak from his guy friends for letting his female partner even whisper at dominating him--but strong woman =/= domineering bitch. Relationships are supposed to be equal, you know?

I'm hoping you're not asking for the reasons I think you might be asking, but let me put it this way--a "real" man--not a society-approved-manly-man or a what-some-people-say-is-a-manly-real-man--but an actual legit, mature fucking adult man with his shit in order and a shred of intelligence, should respect a strong woman and see her as an equal. Confidence is hot as hell.

[twoturtletoes]

I'm curious to see these responses. I'm in a position to be able to make 2 to 3 times what my boyfriend makes and a higher position. We were discussing whether or not this is emasculating. But then he started planning how he'd spend the money and he was fine. Lol.

[raveness_d]

It's just something I've been thinking deeply on.

[sacramentalist]

Oh, I can't wait until my wife makes more than me. Twice as much would be really awesome, too. I don't know why that bothers some guys.

[chaoseven]

Personally, I find it attractive, as my hyena woman is about as independent and strong-willed as they come. As for emasculating, that's a mixed answer tied to finances, sexuality, and/or domestic life, which all have their specific points. It wasn't an easy relationship in the beginning, and we've had our fair share of arguments and fights in those first few years. It challenged me in a lot of ways, but I'm all the stronger and balanced for it.