I read your entire post.

It seems to me that you might have done well to get the 2nd man off meth. That's not to suggest that you didn't try. In fact just the other day I was talking to a man who said his only mistress these days was Lady Heroin. And he was very faithful to her. So I can certainly think of a recent example of drugs getting in the way of human relationships.

As to why I ask.

Whenever I see a couple together I am reminded of the hard-headedness that is seemingly required of men in order to be in a relationship with a woman. A man with a woman is a man who has his **** together. This is what I relate to 'able to provide shelter'. A man who has his own place, a car, etc. Not that women can't provide that for themselves these days, but that doesn't stop them from seeking it in their partners.

Also, maybe I'm reading it wrong, but if I see a male-female couple, I assume that the man is pretty tough and that if I so much as double glance at his partner he is capable of becoming angry and physically assaulting me. This is what the 'protection from males' factor reminded me of. I assume he is a lot more possessive and protective than his female partner.

Problem is I have neither of these attributes. The first one I can probably work on. I do want to be somewhat successful, so it's not like I'll only be doing this is order to secure a partner in the future. The second I am not so sure about. I only get violent when I'm really pissed off. Most of the time I am very laid back.