It was hurtful to me because growing up I got the message that all men thought about women in the same way: as objects, as commodities that lose their value as they age, and as having no intrinsic value beyond their appearance. These messages were damaging to my self-esteem when I was younger. I agree with you that it’s probably for the best that you are ‘going your own way’ if these are your views. I don’t deny what you say about men getting the ‘short end of the stick,’ however. There are a lot of laws today that favor women to the detriment of men. I get what you are saying about acting in your own self-interest, too. Acting in mine meant choosing a career in a helping profession that I love and that gives me purpose (I wish more libertarian-leaning people were also service-oriented, but I digress).