Hi ladies,

This is my very first post here (30F) . I discovered this subreddit about 2 weeks ago and I binged read EVERYTHING I could including the handbook. I reasonate SO MUCH with this way of living. I grew up in a *very conservative* religious family and my dad was always the provider. My mom didn't work (he didn't *allow* her until she wore him down) but was also very controlling. I swore up and down when I was younger that I'll never allow a man to pay for me as I saw it something with strings attached. After a decade of really toxic & abusive relationships where I was always the provider, paying 50/50 on first dates (even paying 100% most of the time ugh) I got resentful towards those wastemen. I was even engaged at some point and the guy wanted me to "support him" for the next TEN years as he follows his dreams and when he "makes it", he would provide for us.

Anyway, after starting therapy and doing a lot of introspection, I realized that my low self-worth, self esteem, childhood shit, etc, etc made me devalue myself and accept terrible treatment. I've finally woken up and I'm so glad I did and I vow to be single until a compatible HVM enters my life (only after I've taken time to level up through therapy, financial goals, health goals, etc).

The issue I need help with is that I have 2 younger sisters (14 & 17) and I attempted to explain WHY you should never pay 50/50 for ANY DATE. I tried to explain it the way I understand it :

Equality vs Equity and women and men start off from different points in society and thus the men need to make up for their privilege and be aware of it. I used words like patriarchy, misogyny, etc but I think they're too big words for them ( I explained them but I understand they're not the simplest of concepts).

I want to find a simple way that young teenage girls can understand and learn that they should never pay when a guy is courting her. Do you guys have a a clear, concise, teenage friendly way of explaining it? I would REALLY appreicate it. My worst fear is my younger sisters dealing with the same relationship trauma I experienced due to having my dad as my "male example".

THANK YOU SO MUCH :)

( I am forever grateful to have found women who think like this)