Hi!
I'm also in the same situation. My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year now, which has included the first four months of medical school. Even though it frustrated me at first that he...
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Dear Alice,
I know this might sound a little vain, but I am smarter than my boyfriend and it's starting to get to me! We have been dating for about eight months, and our relationship was great when we lived together in our hometown. However, in August I moved here for grad school, and since then I have been getting more and more annoyed and resentful of the differences between us — I have to walk him through stuff that makes perfect sense to me, he doesn't read the newspaper or care about politics, and frankly I always thought I would marry a man that could be my equal. Is this really important? Should I ignore the nagging feelings and get over myself? He has a lot of other good qualities and I do care for him deeply, but the more I think about my future, and having to be the leader in the relationship, the less sure I am about our compatibility. HELP!
— Grad Student
Dear Grad Student,
It's great that you aren't ignoring those nagging feelings. Doubt and confusion are usually there for a reason, and a little honesty and detective work will almost always help you figure out what's irking you and why.
A good relationship is as much about differences as it is about similarities, but everyone has a bottom line. It may help you to sit down and write a list of which qualities and characteristics you absolutely must have in a partner, keeping in mind that a completely perfect person would probably be boring or just plain intimidating. No one person can meet all your needs — that's why good friendships can be crucial to the survival of a romantic relationship. If you think hard and be creative you might be surprised about what's really most important to you in a relationship. Once you have a list, you can start thinking about how your boyfriend fits into the picture.
Also, remember that you've just begun a new phase in your life! Starting grad school or any other major endeavor can create a huge stress on a relationship, as each person's needs, focuses, and experiences change and grow in new directions. If you and your boyfriend are dating long-distance, this can put an added strain on your relationship. In addition, your boyfriend may feel left out of your new adventure, and intelligent or not, may have trouble expressing his feelings about your move to grad school.
Probably one of the most valuable things you can do is talk to your boyfriend honestly, gently, and respectfully about what's on your mind, and what you need and want. Pay attention to the word 'gently': rather than telling your boyfriend you're frustrated that he's not the sharpest knife in the kitchen, you could begin by expressing your concern that he doesn't seem interested in things that are important to you, like school and politics. Who knows, maybe by talking you will find out he is frustrated that you don't understand something important to him.
In the end, the best test of whether you two are compatible might not be your I.Q.s, but how successfully you communicate and support each other through the changes and "bumps in the road" of your lives and relationship. Whether you decide to stick with your boyfriend or move on, you may need to be prepared to do some serious thinking and consideration — either on your own, with your close friends, or with your boyfriend. Although good relationships are a lot of work, it is ultimately up to you to decide what qualities you need to have in both a relationship and a partner.
Good Luck!
December 4, 2008
Hi!
I'm also in the same situation. My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year now, which has included the first four months of medical school. Even though it frustrated me at first that he didn't want to talk about politics or school, after talking with him about it, I realize that much of his reluctance was not a lack of interest, but rather a lack of exposure. Even though he doesn't always read the newspaper or stay up to date on current events, he's more than happy to talk over an issue that I bring up (and even debate it from time to time!). In addition, I realize now that there are many different types of intelligence — he may not have gone to college, but he can fix anything, and for everything I've taught him about medicine or politics, he's taught me something about fixing cars or plumbing... you name it! Find out what your boyfriend's interests are — and ask questions! You'll gain a new respect for his knowledge and he'll gain satisfaction that your exchanges are less one-sided!
Good luck!
September 28, 2007
I am currently dating someone less intellectually capable than myself and have dealt with the same questions. I've dated plenty of intelligent, successful men (an attorney, diplomat, military officer...
I am currently dating someone less intellectually capable than myself and have dealt with the same questions. I've dated plenty of intelligent, successful men (an attorney, diplomat, military officer, etc) but have never had as much fun as I do with my current boyfriend. I am intellectually challenged at work and by a couple of friends I communicate with regularly via email.
The only time I really find myself frustrated is when he cannot understand a situation from someone else's perspective. That drives me wild at times, but I know his simplistic passion for life, commitment to me, and sense of humor trump everything he may not understand (not to mention his love of children). This may not be the case for you of course — many of my friends cannot understand how I date him, but we have a great time together and I don't feel like he is holding me back — simply adding another (much needed) dimension to my life.