Are men intimidated by intelligent women?

Question

If so, why? And what kinds of qualities do you think a potential relationship partner should have? Serious answers would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I actually only like intelligent women. I don't like aggressive women though. I guess an example of what I'm trying to explain is that I would generally choose a college professor over an executive.

No one likes a person who thinks they're better than everyone. A true strong person(woman--regarding your question) doesn't have to SHOUT strength. It's apparent. There's nothing worse than when people(women, regarding your question) equate intelligence with insulting others. I won't be overpowered in my relationship(not that I would overpower her).

Answer 2

Well, when reading your question I first started to ask myself why you are asking such a question. Is it because you are of above average intelligence and aren't having much luck in your love life? If so, then you might consider yourself lucky.

See, if someone were looking for a serious, committed relationship with an equal partner then I'd say you wouldn't be single very often or for long. However, fact is there are a great deal of men who feel they have to be in some way dominant of their partner. There are even some who manipulate women JUST for sex (*gasp* I know it's a shocker).

Fact of the matter is, you're not an easy target for such manipulation. And it may not be the conscious intention of a potential suitor to exclude you from consideration because you are smart. But you need not look far in popular culture to see the fascination with beauty over brains. So it could be said that a great percentage of society is just more receptive to someone who is less intelligent (or appears to be). I remember growing up people telling me about common sense. Well, as I've gotten a little older I've come to realize it shouldn't be called "common" sense, but "rare" sense, because there's just not a whole lot of people who have it.

As for the other part to your question about qualities of a potential relationship partner, I'm just not sure myself so it would be a bit like the blind leading the blind. I would suggest that you NEVER settle for less than you know you desire and deserve. Also, while friends and family surely would never intentionally sabotage your love life, it's not THEM who will be dating, engaged to, or marrying this person so stick with your OWN feelings and try not to listen to the naysayers. Other people's advice is often necessary and helpful, but the decisions should come from you. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Not at all. I am very attracted to successful, able and confident women. Lots of men do not like true equality so they seek out someone whom they consider to be in some way a trophy! I don't get on with dominant women by equal measure. Teachers and I do not for instance communicate with at all well. Suspect it is their need to always be in parenting mode. BUT equality of the sexes is complicated. I am good at what I do and of course by no means perfect. Single at 40 and am happy. Frustrated because i don't get to meet that able women who is also sensitive and open rather than just driven. Just to add. Success is a strange creature, as is intelligence! I need an equal partner and as a bloke they are very difficult to find. Are you the beginning?

Answer 4

Well, you didn't really need to complete your sentence. The minute you said "Are men intimidated by..." the answer from any man was going to be "no."

But to be accurate, I think men are sometimes annoyed by rude women, pushy women, and unpleasant women, just as they would be with men with the same qualities. Sometimes women believe men are reacting badly to their intelligence when in fact it has more to do with one of the qualities above.

I don't think there is any particular reaction these days to intelligent women, except maybe pleasure that there is someone to talk to who can carry on a conversation.

Answer 5

Prefer intelligent women, when I'm with or around someone
it's a pleasure to communicate on an even level and the
conversation is more enjoyable. In the work place it's
much more pleasant to work with your peers.

Answer 6

I once dated a chick who kept telling me that she scored 2004 on her SAT. She owned her own physiotheraphy business. We dated for a couple of months and got along fine. Frankly, I'd display better general knowledge than her on occasion. Nevertheless her SAT score kept coming up in conversation along with the fact that "men are initimidated by it". Also when I was giving her a massage she'd list the exact name of the muscles I was rubbing just to prove to me how smart she was.

I got sick of her going on about it after a while and stopped calling her as a direct result.

Answer 7

My husband isn't ... LOL ... Seriously he said the first thing that attracted me to him was my independence. Let's face it, a woman has to be half way intelligent to be totally independent. I think men who are intimidated by intelligent women are insecure.

Answer 8

Research indicates that the more educated and more financially "successful" that a man is, the more attracted he is to intelligent woman. And, the less educated, less conceptual and less financially "successful" that a man is, the less likely he is to be attracted to intelligent women. This phenomenon obviously impacts upon the rise and evolution of the species by concentrating the most "intelligent" genetics and most adaptive survival instincts into certain bloodlines. Men who desire "intelligent" children oftentimes take into consideration the "intelligence" of the mate they select. Men who are intimidated by intelligent women are usually also intimidated by the rise of intelligence in their own children and commonly sabotage their children's intellectual advancement and self-esteem development, for example, with put-downs and mockery of their childrens' unique interests.

The majority of women in longterm marriages with men whom have lower IQ's than their wives rate their husbands highly as fathers, stating that their husbands admiration of their wive's intelligence was also expressed in healthy, supportive, nurturing ways toward their children's intellectual development. In other words, if a man admires intelligence in a woman, they tend to also admire intelligence in their children.

Answer 9

Of-course they're intimidated. Most men like to feel superior, in charge. So when they encounter a woman even remotely smarter than they are. They can no longer impress them, and they develop an inferiority complex. Boo Hoo Hoo. But I truly believe, on a relationship level, men should accept, respect and appreciate a woman for who and what she is, regardless of her education. So stand strong, and enjoy being who you are.

Answer 10

I'm not intimidated. I enjoy the conversation.