What Men Want in a Relationship


Women think men only want to have a good time. Women think men have no interest in developing and growing a relationship or developing and growing themselves. Women think men want women who are supermodels, and that they never consider whether a woman is emotionally mature, kind, supportive, or loving.

A tip for women
: Men want women who are emotionally mature. Maturity does not mean lack of emotions. It does mean the ability to handle emotions responsibly. To attract a great man and build a long- term relationship, learn to take responsibility for your emotional experience and expression.

Men want fidelity and a commitment to the relationship.
Fidelity is an absolute must. In fact, men want a woman who does not have a “roaming eye” and who can wholeheartedly commit to the relationship. Many may define commitment as fidelity plus the willingness to work on the relationship—even when the going gets tough.

Women think that all men want is sex, and that men will leave a relationship for the next prettier face. Women think men cannot be trusted to be faithful. Women believe men do not want to work on a relationship; that when the going gets tough, they run.

A tip for women: Here is great news for those women who are resigned to the myth that all men cheat: infidelity and “a roaming eye” are as distasteful to men as they are to women. Great men know how to build a wonderful relationship, and they know fidelity is the main ingredient.

Men want women who know how men need to be treated.
Many women treat men in ways that diminish their egos, making them feel inadequate. Men would rather have more praise, more acknowledgement of what they do right, more acknowledgement that they are great guys who are loved and appreciated.

Women think men do not need them, do not value their opinion, their support, and their praise. Women also think men do not care about many things important to women, which is why they criticize. Criticism is a way to verbalize resentment.

A tip for women:Most men want acknowledgement and appreciation from women. Learning to acknowledge instead of making your partner wrong is one of the most powerful relationship survival tools available to you.

7 readers liked this story.
From Around the Web:
08.09.2008
Muirnea
This is a really good story, and I'm sure it's right...it's just so hard to believe that sometimes...to many bad experiences that confirm the things men don't really want.
08.07.2008
Kindra Schaefer
Fallon, your story really touched me. I am probably in Chantale's boat - more of a men-basher than I would like to believe. Sometimes it's hard to remember that opening up and being emotionally vulnerable IS a trait of strong, independent women. Thanks for the perspective!
07.28.2008
Fallon
I'm glad you enjoyed it- it does change perspectives.
07.27.2008
Chantale Reve
OMG! You have taught me something critical. I am officially a men-basher -- and I didn't even mean to be. I like how you present the mythology that many of us women choose to believe, then hit us with the real deal: the tips that reveal the truth of what men want. Brava on your first story!
It feels good to write.

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