Never posted anything until this and recently joined reddit. I'm a submarine veteran who's getting mental health support in a va program of which I'm very thankful for. I did 8 yrs active duty on a fast attack nuclear sub, honorable discharge, no service connected rating or disability but I've been out for two years and started to fall into a bad place so I'm trying to better myself. Anyhow I was raised to respect everyone and I treat men and women as equals because that's what we are and should be. But to all who reads this, things like this effect me. Do I wish they didn't? I don't know yet, I believe I'm someone who shouldn't just turn away and not pay attention to something just because it can be upsetting. I'm a young man and a good person who wants a meaningful and lasting relationship with a woman. I want to find my person and have a family and be a team. I'm telling you that as unfortunate as it may be, I feel like I'm at this crossroads where I'm generalizing all women when equality is not required to be met across the board and it's causing me to not want to open up and essentially make myself available to find a partner. Like it's making me upset to where I'm generalizing all women and that in itself is not fair to them. I know it's just going to take me finding a woman I respect inside and out for what she is about as a person not these shitty generalities of the sexes. I'm all for equality AND not but, AND with equality in this instance they absolutely must be required to register to be selected as I was as a man at 18 no ifs ands or buts, this shouldn't be over thought. I've read forums and articles about groups like mgtow and just general postings of men choosing to opt out of relationships who previously and still deep down want a quality and fair and equal relationship but how do we continue to conform and adjust and push forward in this type of society. I am really struggling with it. It's really beating men down and it's so subtly happening a lot of women and men aren't even aware of it. Like we are literally deciding to be done with women and that is just so...horrible. Please let me know your thoughts people.