Interesting points! I feel like stuttering can impact our confidence in different ways. With men, you feel this need to be confident as you mentioned above. As you also mentioned, stuttering makes that hard regarding the stigma around it. It makes your character look weak. I can't say much on the topic since I am a woman and don't want to step out of line... With women (myself), it could make us less sexually attractive, thus impacting our "worth". My mother was obsessed with this idea that I would never find a man who would accept it. I had a hard time dating boys because it made them uncomfortable or embarrassed and just took away from any sexual appeal they could have seen in me. I am glad your friends never had a problem with dating, and I am really sorry if you have had problems. Just know that it IS possible to stutter with confidence, you and others around you will know it when you hear it. I would be really interested to continue this conversation sometime since your experience is basically the opposite of mine!