I am dating a feminist, and I couldn't imagine myself being with someone who doesn't identify as one. Why do I feel so lucky to have a feminist boyfriend?

The number one belief that feminists should hold is that men and women are equal as human beings, and therefore deserve to be treated with the same amount of respect, tolerance, and regard. Females are not superior to males or vice versa. No one should be hindered by strict gender roles or expectations, which is something we still see happening every day in practically any situation. As a woman, I experience these problems way too regularly, and a lot of times it's hard for males to understand; after all, they're living in a patriarchy-based society that generally caters to their benefit. It's not their fault, but it can make empathizing with women a bit of a struggle. Even though it can be harder for men to see the world through women's eyes, there are many out there who still try to understand women's point of view and who embody the role of a feminist.

A partner should be someone who empowers you and pushes you to be the best version of yourself. If they don't treat you with the respect that everyone should receive, why date that person? As someone who identifies as a strong feminist, I believe that nothing should hold me back from being the person that I want to mold myself into. I do not let society tell me what I must do to live a happy life, and I don't believe that people are confined to the gender roles that are laid out for them. Having a feminist boyfriend means that he shares the same beliefs as I do, and he lets me know every day that just because I am a woman does not mean that I must follow societal expectations of me. Being in a relationship with a feminist means we both try to empower each other as who we are as people, and that we try to empower those around us. I couldn't be with someone who doesn't believe in equality of the sexes. My boyfriend and I both believe that we should treat others as humans, not just "men" versus "women," and we both are more emboldened together.