Referencing this thread where men are explaining to women that this statement means more or less what it says.
In interpersonal conversational scenarios this statement, or a similar sentiment, expressed to a woman who is dating or cohabiting with a man, is seen as highly offensive.
I’m old and wary enough that I would never say this out loud unless I had a beer too many or was tired, but I could easily see myself thinking it. In fact, not to paint men in general with a big stereotype brush, but I could easily see a large majority of men holding this as a central concern in any relatively young relationship. Some well meaning men are incautious enough to actually say it out loud, although long drives like the one cited in the linked thread will tend to wear down your resistance and natural caution in these things.
It (to me) is indicative of a prudent and mature frame of mind, things most women might want in a supportive and potential long term SO.
To the lady dopers, why does this statement raise your hackles? Does it have to do with the way men and women are wired, and the differential investments in a physical relationships where there is greater risk for a woman to get the choice “right” if she intends on a having (potentially) babies or a family with this SO? Does expressing an even slightly tentative attitude tend to rankle in these situations?
