New studies have shown that men feel threatened by intelligent women and can’t handle them.
You are a woman with an endless friends list, and your career has taken off. But something is missing from this otherwise idyllic picture; the right man.
The elusive piece may drive you to ask three perennial questions: “Are guys turned off by intelligent women?”, “If so, why?”. The last is the pivotal question: “What is a smart woman like me to do about it?”
People have known since time dawned that men feel intimidated by smart women. Several studies seem to back this theory.
Research #1
In a study by Adam Kabawski et al. Polish economists set out to answer if intelligent women do, indeed, threaten men. They attempted to uncover how both genders responded to speed-dating partners regarding intelligence and attractiveness.
As they would on a speed date, participants met potential partners every few minutes. They then rated each prospective partner on 10-point scales for intelligence and attractiveness, before stating if they would meet the person again.
The study found that women, of course, valued a man’s attractiveness. But they did not discount intelligence; they would meet an intelligent man for a second time, even if he were not attractive.
Men, however, did not value being smart as highly. If a woman were average in appearance, her high intelligence had no effect on whether he would meet her a second time.
Research # 2
Research published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that men liked the idea of dating smart women, but shied away from actually doing so.
Researchers from the University of Buffalo, the University of Texas and the California Lutheran University gathered 105 men. They then broke the study into two parts. In the first, the scientists read them a hypothetical scenario involving women who were either more or less intelligent than they were. The men favored smart women as more desirable.
The second part of the study involved asking the gentlemen if they would meet the women in real life. As expected, many opted out of a second meet up. The researchers concluded that the prospect of diminished masculinity caused men to shun smart women.
Why Are Men Threatened by Intelligent Women?
Female intelligence does not rank highly for several reasons. Insight into what they are may ease dating difficulties for intelligent women.
1. Emotional intelligence
Smart women have a need to express themselves and have strong opinions. They pride themselves on how “direct” they are. However, men may perceive that directness as tactlessness. Some women may cross boundaries and tell their mates what they think of them the first time they meet.
Not surprisingly, men would rather be with a partner who did not doubt their actions all the time. Reverse the situation and women, too, would feel the same way.
2. Focus more on the emotional relationship
Men can still feel good about themselves if they have smart partners. Focusing on the love aspect of the relationship can steer it in the right direction.
Research by the University of Toronto proves this theory. Scientists told the men involved in the study that their partners’ obtained the best scores on their IQ tests.
Before assessing the effect of this revelation, the researchers had the men discuss the love they felt for their partners. They realized that doing so did not affect the male participant’s feelings about their partner’s intelligence.
3. The fear of challenge
Smart women tend to question a man’s opinions. According to expert Evan Marc Katz, who counsels people on relationship matters, men feel uncomfortable when women belittle their judgments and choices.
4. Men want to feel needed
Smart women are more independent and self-sufficient than their less intelligent peers. Katz mentions that this makes them feel emasculated and less needed.
Six ways for smart women to succeed in relationships
Smart women can have successful relationships if they put in the effort to manage them properly. Naturally, they can use a few pointers.
1. No shortchanging
Remember not to shortchange yourself. Though bad experiences may have caused you to feel that succeeding in relationships is impossible unless you make compromises, do not deliberately make yourself seem less smart than you are.
Everyone deserves a partner who values them as they are. You will feel unfulfilled in the long run if you settle for less than you deserve.
2. Practice unconditional love and respect
Mutual respect is indispensable to any relationship. No matter how smart both parties are, self-love and love for each other are the essentials that will keep the flame alive.
3. Do not micromanage
Micro-managing is a killer of many relationships. It is tempting for a woman to initiate actions, such as planning anniversaries and perhaps, just deciding where to go on a date. Making decisions is a shared responsibility; it is wise sometimes to let your partner do so for both of you.
4. Reach out to other women
Find yourself a support group of strong, successful women who are trying to navigate relationships as well. Doing this will make you feel less alone, and you can benefit from their experiences.
5. Increase positive feelings
Positive emotions will build your resilience, and this is true no matter how smart you are. They will prompt both you and your partner to find positive ways to solve problems.
6. Communication is essential
As a high achiever, you may have a tendency to want to be right all the time. Always quibbling with your partner over being right will not only jeopardize your relationship but cause your Cortisol (the stress hormone) levels to peak.
Smart women can have fulfilling relationships if they have some understanding of how they may overwhelm men. A little sincerity, love, happiness, and tact go a long way in making any relationship work.
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Well first of all which many of these women do really believe they’re all that, but not at all. They have that attitude problem with no respect at all for us good men with a very bad personality to go along with it as well. So unfortunately it is these type of women that are real pathetic losers to begin with, and this is why many of us men are still single nowadays since these women now are nothing at all like the old days.
I agree with you at some point, BUT someone can say that the same is happening with men too.
I know that i made this comment already about two months ago which i will further explain why many of us good men can’t meet a good woman that will be able to accept us for who we really are. Most women today unfortunately will want a man with a lot of money anyway since many women that have their careers now are very high maintenance, independent, selfish, spoiled, greedy, picky, narcissists, and very money hungry as well which tells the whole story right there, and they will never at all go with a man that makes much less money than they make. And most of these women are nothing but real users and losers altogether now since they will take advantage of men that have money just to get the real expensive gifts that these men will buy them. So it is very obvious why many of us men are still single today when we really should have never been in the first place since it is these type of women that have really ruined it for us unfortunately, and many of us men aren’t to blame in the first place since it is these type of women that really don’t care either. And it now has become so very extremely dangerous for many of us men just to say good morning or hello to a woman that we would really like to meet since most of the time these women will be very nasty to us and walk away since they really don’t want to be bothered that all. I even had a woman curse at me at one time which i never did anything wrong to begin with, and this is why i say it is very dangerous for many of us men to talk too women now since i know friends that had the very same thing happened to them as well which unfortunately makes it very scary for many of us men now altogether. Most women today just don’t have any respect or manners anymore when it comes to men since as i can see that many of these type of women are very severely mentally disturbed to begin with in the first place. And with all of these very stupid reality TV shows that they have on as well as the media which has certainly corrupted most of these women minds altogether now as well making matters worse for many of us men. Now it is very obvious why the good old days was very easy to find love back then since most of the women were the very complete opposite of what they really are today which makes it a real shame for many of us men very seriously looking for love now as i speak, and now i can certainly see why our family members were very blessed finding real true love with one another since it definitely was a much easier time for them with no trouble at all. Quite a change today unfortunately since it does really take two too tango, and it is very much these women that are really too blame today for this mess now in the first place too.
Wow Paul you seem pretty bitter about your dating experiences. Maybe you shouldn’t go after so many “mentally disturbed” women. Remember there’s more to life than dating. Maybe find a hobby or even take some time for self enlightenment. I sure hope you don’t portray your very poor attitude and opinions about women on your dates because I can guarantee women pick up on that energy. That might be why you have been unsuccessful in finding a partner.
What can I say? Women can be as direct as they like to be. I guess some of the losers just can’t take it at all.