Expressing their needs within an intimate relationship is often a challenge for men.
Whether influenced by societal norms or struggling to articulate their needs, men, typically the less vocal participants in such relationships, often endure silently when their emotional needs are unmet by their partners.
Regardless of your gender, reading this article will provide deeper insights into yourself or your partner, illuminating the needs within your intimate relationship.
Let’s put an end to unnecessary conflicts arising from miscommunication, nights lacking intimacy, and emotional shutdowns.
By delving into the following tips, we guarantee that your perspective on your relationship will undergo a transformative shift.
Here are 7 things that men seek in a relationship:
1. Praise And Approval
Men are often known for having delicate egos. Regular reassurance about various aspects, such as ourselves, our career paths, our effectiveness as partners, our sexual abilities, and our appeal, is something we appreciate.
While it’s true that men may require less frequent verbal praise compared to their female counterparts, expressing admiration doesn’t have to be a calculated exchange. Why not just embrace more positivity?
So, ladies, let your admiration flow freely. Communicate to your man what you find appealing about him. Share your favourite physical features of his.
Tell him when you find it attractive how he expresses himself, achieves something, or takes you on a date. Your praise won’t inflate his ego; instead, it will foster a sense of being loved.
And here’s a bonus: the more you acknowledge his positives, the more you’ll notice and appreciate them.
2. Respect
Respect is akin to love for men. If a man senses disapproval, whether it’s directed at him, his career, or the values he holds dear, it becomes challenging for him to trust and feel loved.
The underlying thought is, “If she doesn’t respect my core identity, how can she genuinely desire what’s best for me?”
Respecting your man goes beyond conventional gestures. Actions like reheating dinner or handling dry cleaning might be considerate but don’t necessarily translate to respect – they’re nice, but respect is more like oxygen to men.
Why aren’t such actions seen as signs of respect and appreciation? If, while doing something nice, you conveyed doubt or contradicted him, you were essentially questioning his competence.
To truly show your man respect, demonstrate your confidence in his abilities.
If a man’s partner fails to respect his life path or mission, he’ll likely feel compelled to distance himself, fostering an anxious disconnect.
3. A Sense Of Sexual Connection
Men and women connect through both sex and communication, but generally, women connect better through talking, while men connect better through sex.
This doesn’t mean men need sex every day to feel connected. Often, men connect through signs of sexuality as much as through the act itself.
For men, initiating sex is a way to ensure their partner is still sexually available. So, if your man reaches out for you, simply showing willingness to embrace, kiss, and engage can make him feel loved.
The challenge arises when there’s a lack of awareness. The woman may not feel like opening up sexually until she feels connected emotionally, but the man might find it hard to communicate because they haven’t been physical.
Avoid these unintentional standoffs by talking with your partner about what specifically makes them feel most loved.
4. Emotional Intimacy
From a young age, men are ingrained with the idea of avoiding any display of weakness. This includes refraining from complaints, sharing fears or concerns, and expressing self-doubt or worry.
A man’s partner should ideally serve as a haven. It’s the space where he can reveal vulnerabilities and allow his partner to contribute to his healing. Just as women may take time to open up sexually in a relationship, men gradually unfold emotionally.
The first time a man sheds tears in front of his partner, it’s crucial that the response is nurturing and supportive. If he perceives a negative reaction or a lack of understanding, he might withdraw and no longer trust his partner with his emotions, creating a distance in the relationship.
In this scenario, both partners suffer — he internalizes his struggles, feeling flawed and imperfect, while she is kept emotionally at a distance.
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5. Space
In many relationships, the feminine-associated female partner desires more time together, while the masculine-associated male partner seeks more time apart. Achieving a perfect balance is challenging; it requires managing the dynamics of closeness and separateness.
It’s crucial not to suffocate a man by denying him free time or displaying overly jealous behaviour – this can quickly lead to the demise of a relationship. Men require breathing room; they value time for hobbies, with friends, and to work on personal projects for fulfilment.
Traditionally, when women faced problems, they sought support within the tribe – connecting with friends and family. In contrast, when men encounter challenges, they often prefer solitude to contemplate solutions.
So, give him space. Allow him time to breathe. Let him pursue his interests. A man returns happier when he feels trusted and knows you respect the strength of your bond enough to grant him the freedom he needs.
6. Physical Touch
Men require regular non-sexual touch along with a sense of sexual connection.
For example, if a man is engrossed in a task and his partner lovingly touches his neck and hair from behind, he can feel just as loved as if they had engaged in sexual intimacy, perhaps even more, depending on his mood.
This type of touch is seen as a form of physical love, conveying the message, “I love you, and I want you to feel happy always. Know that I’m here for you, and I care for you deeply”.
7. Security
Both men and women are drawn to certainty in a relationship. When a man senses that his partner is committed for the long term, he becomes more willing to open up, provided he shares the same level of commitment.
However, the sense of security extends beyond just staying together. It involves feeling assured that his partner approves of him and supports his career choices. Non-sexual touches throughout the day contribute to his feelings of security and love.
Allowing him to have his time with his friends without constant check-ins also fosters a sense of security. Ultimately, a partner who takes intentional steps to love him in the way he needs reinforces his overall sense of security in the relationship.
How To Give Him What He Needs
Where do you stand in your relationship?
If you’re a man reading this, do you feel that all your needs are being met? Is there something you could communicate to your partner for a potential improvement? (Consider sharing this article with her.) For those in a relationship with a man, how can you enhance your expressions of love? Which aspects mentioned here can you incorporate more into your relationship?
For more insights on building emotionally mature and fulfilling relationships, explore additional articles on Fab.ng. We cover various topics such as sex, love, relationship tips, and more. Dive into our relationships category for articles that contribute to a more satisfying love life.
