Shani, thank you for writing this. I’ve been so tired of friends insisting I date someone because he had money and liked me. I used to give in to the pressure and date someone I had no attraction to. Fortunately I’ve learned you can’t force a spark, and I won’t ever do it again. I was called too picky by these so called friends which annoyed me so much. I wasn’t picky. I just wanted to date someone I was attracted to. That’s not too much to ask for in life. And you are right. Men are never told to settle.
However I do think women tell other women, “You’re not getting any younger” because of their biological clock if they want to have children. Men don’t have to worry about that.