Sad I missed this topic at its prime while I've been away; but I'm going to pop in now and have a say anyway (although I'm sorry I haven't read everyone's replies).
I'm an educated woman, and have had varying degrees of reaction from men I've been with over the years. The worst of which was my first serious boyfriend, who while I was doing my degree would call my ambitions "ridiculous" and ridicule me for wanting to travel and make something of myself. He was most definitely insecure and it was the major reason I left him. My second long term relationship was with a degree educated primary school teacher so my intelligence was an asset in that relationship, but it didn't save it from infidelity and lies nevertheless.
I've never really been one to have equal "booklearning" intelligence on my "must-have" list. Actually I think two people of varying intellects can bring different things to a relationship; as long as the smarter one has other people that stimulate their mind - it doesn't have to be their significant other necessarily - if they have their emotional needs met that can be enough, if not exactly ideal. (I would like to meet the couple who is perfectly intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually matched - I don't think one exists.)
I'm lucky now I've landed with a guy who while not tertiary educated and who cannot grasp some of the "big" words I say and some of the concepts I talk about, still listens and is PROUD of me, who doesn't get intimidated; and who I, in turn respect for the many practical things he brings to the relationship.
Including for example the fact he has a sense of direction and can cross the road without being run over. And can hold a glass without spilling its contents
I may lack some practical skills but he brings that to the relationship; he may lack some of my vocabulary but I don't hold back in front of him and say the words anyway and laugh at my own pompousness. Maybe some of it gets through and maybe I elevate him in my own little way.
Maybe he teaches me a hell of a lot more about life in return.
