RELATIONSHIP ADVICE
Red Flags That Men Should Not Ignore When Dating a Feminist
It’s only true equality if everyone gets a fair shake.
When it comes to dating advice, men also deserve to know all the best practices that can help them find a good partner.
And when it comes to dating a feminist (or at least someone claiming to be one), they deserve to know what to do — how to navigate the relationship, what to avoid doing or saying, and how to protect themselves if they ever realize they’re with a woman who’s a vocal feminist but maybe not so much a great girlfriend.
Because whether we like to admit it or not, women aren’t the only ones in danger of being with a toxic or abusive partner. Men can also end up with someone who pretends to have modern values while completely failing to treat their boyfriend right.
So if you’re a man and you’re dating a feminist who displays questionable behavior, below are some of the red flags that may be able to confirm your suspicions:
She says she hates men.
Feminism is not about hating men.
So a woman who proudly announces that she hates men every chance she gets is not just a lousy lover but also totally not a feminist.
If you’re seeing someone who thinks men are beneath her, then I’m sure you’ve asked yourself at least once why she’s dating you at all. Any possible answer is likely not good.
Trust me, you’re better off with someone else.
She thinks men should always listen to their girlfriends.
It’s almost a universal experience for men dating a feminist to wonder if they’re allowed to speak up.
Of course, you’re allowed! That is, if you’re dating a real feminist and not just someone masquerading as one.
Couples in a healthy and loving relationship listen to each other. They certainly don’t believe that only the women are right.
She calls you a misogynist every time you disagree with her.
Even if you have no problem voicing your opinion when you think your girlfriend is wrong, it can still be used against you.
Unfortunately, some women can accuse their boyfriends of being sexist whenever they have arguments. She can insist that giving in to what she wants is only part of dating a feminist.
She doesn’t believe that men can be victims of abuse and harassment.
To believe in true gender equality is to acknowledge that men can also be at the receiving end of abuse.
Feminists who know what they’re talking about are aware of this.
A woman who doesn’t think men can be victims (or that women are very much capable of violence and unhealthy behavior) has no business calling herself a feminist.
She also likely has unhealthy views on relationships. Even if she’s not an abuser herself, her beliefs don’t bode well for how she’ll treat you and your emotional vulnerabilities while you’re together.
She thinks men cannot have good opinions on dating and relationships.
Sadly, dating a feminist has made a lot of men second-guess what they know about love.
Worse, their partners may have even convinced them that they don’t know anything about dating and relationships by virtue of them being men.
But men should be allowed to say their piece when it comes to love, and they certainly know a lot more than some women give them credit for.
Just because you’re a man, it doesn’t mean your opinion on dating is not valid. You still have every right to share your experience and say your piece about what makes a good relationship, even if you’re dating a feminist (who, by the way, is most probably not even a real feminist if she says otherwise).
