in my humble opinion people settle for less, as you said especially women, because of self-esteem issues and that they don't feel they deserve more. society and the media also feed this. as two of my fav book quites put it brilliantly, "i guess if someone spends enough time telling you you're nothing, somewhere along he line you begin to believe it." --sarah mccarty and once the mind is set in a pattern it is very hard to break it and you lose relationships due to the others frustration with constantly trying to build you up (i should know) "as many times as i told her she was beautiful, i know that she never believed me. as many times as i said it didn't matter (her weight), i knew to her it did. i was just one voice, and the world's voice was louder." -jennifer weiner Good in Bed shyla