Women are more vocal about what they need and want, but what men want in a relationship often remains a mystery. Men and women think differently, behave differently, and even want different things in a relationship. While women try to express themselves a lot, men reveal less. Hence, it becomes difficult for women to impress their men as they don’t know what they like or dislike. But no worry. We are here for you. In this article, we have listed 10 things men want in a relationship and what you can do to make them happen. So what are you waiting for? let’s jump in
1. Men seek honesty in a relationship
Honesty is a top priority for most men. When it comes to relationships, men want to trust their partners completely. They also expect the trust to be returned. A man cannot bear to be kept in the dark by his woman about any matter. They prefer to know the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
What to do
Proceed in a straight line. Trust your partner when they’ve proven themselves trustworthy throughout your relationship, and both of you need to be honest in communicating your needs, likes, and feelings. When a partner has trust issues, they need to take responsibility for their insecurities when they come up, which is inevitable in any new dating relationship. Otherwise, this behavior would strain or sabotage the relationship in the long run.
2. Men don't want to be controlled in a relationship
No man likes being manipulated or controlled by his partner. Women often believe that they can change a man, but it’s important to give a man space to be with his friends, have time for his hobbies and interests, and develop an interdependent, healthy relationship. Sometimes people think that manipulation or forced control is the only way to get a man to do certain things, especially when a partner is codependent and is looking for a partner who will make them happy while that is what they should focus on to be independent and happy in yourself. However, this often has the opposite effect. A man may feel restricted, as if his freedom is being taken away, he is being mothered or emasculated, or he is being treated like a child and being told what to do. This behavior often repels a man. That’s not healthy for a relationship.
Be open with your partner and set your boundaries. It’s also important to make it clear what your expectations and desires are for him. Remember that it is not your partner’s job to make you happy. It is your responsibility.
3. Men want confident and secure partners
Men like women who are confident and considerate of their partner’s needs in the relationship. They don’t want partners who are insecure and can’t bear to see them with another woman, be it their friends, family, co-workers or just acquaintances. When a man is good at communicating with his partner and being open about his plans for where he is going and where he ended up going, it helps each partner feel included. A woman can feel uncomfortable knowing that her husband is dating another woman. But as long as he shows honesty and shares what he’s doing before and after the event, he’ll start to form a much stronger bond, building trust, which is the most valuable foundation of any healthy relationship.
Insecurity often leads to distrust, which can lead to many problems in a relationship. Have faith in your partner and in the relationship. Should you have trust issues, take the time to personally recognize your own patterns – what happens when your trust button is triggered? Otherwise, a man might be open and honest with you, but if you believe deep down that “all men are dishonest,” you could be sabotaging your relationship, your future, and your happiness.
4. Men want to be accepted for who they are
Men want their partners to accept them for who they are. You don’t want to be compared to anyone. They are happy to be in a relationship where they are not pressured to be someone else or meet certain unrealistic standards.
What to do
Avoid judging. Do not indulge in criticism of him in front of others. Offer him constructive criticism privately.
5. Men seek commitment and loyalty
It’s a common misconception that men want to date more than one woman all the time. But that’s not always true. When a man decides to commit himself seriously, he can and will remain committed, and he expects the same from his partner.
What to do
Getting involved is not enough. Let him know through your words and actions that the relationship means a lot to you.
6. Men want clear communication
If there’s one thing men don’t want in a relationship, it’s a lack of clear communication. What men really want in a relationship is for you to be clear about your feelings and expectations. Reluctance to send a clear message can create confusion.
What to do
Communication is the backbone of every relationship. Always keep the doors of communication open and clearly express your thoughts and feelings about what you really think, especially when misunderstandings arise. It’s healthy to have different opinions or to argue, which is inevitable in any relationship. Most important is the way you resolve conflicts in a healthy and adult way.
7. Men want respect
Respect is one thing that men value very much. If you humiliate him in public or disrespect him privately, your relationship can suffer. Men appreciate women who are respectful of their partners and their dreams and desires.
What to do
Learn to respect your man for who he is and appreciate his good qualities. If you don’t like something about him, it’s better to be frank with him than to respect him.
8. Men strive for stability and growth
A common misconception about men is that they are not interested in stability or growth in their relationships. But the fact is that men want to grow in a relationship with a mature and reliable partner.
What to do
Be mature in your approach. If you create a healthy space for growth and maturity, you will be surprised how quickly he wants to take the relationship to the next level.
9. Men crave emotional intimacy
Most men are conditioned to believe that they cannot be weak or show their vulnerable side. This vulnerability includes expressing concern, showing pain, revealing fears, etc. However, some men crave emotional support from their partner. They want to feel comfortable enough with their partner to share their secrets, their fears, and their real feelings if they’re wired that way. If they were encouraged to express themselves as a child, they would find it easier to express themselves as an adult. Once a man trusts you, he will speak up without pressure.
What to do
Try to be his emotional sounding board. From time to time, reassure him that you are there to patiently listen to all of his concerns. Your relationship will grow stronger if you respect him for the way he shares and responds to emotional intimacy with you. Give him time to express himself when he’s ready without rushing him.
10. Men crave space in a relationship
A man may feel totally committed to a woman and still want to spend some time away from her. Maybe he likes to be with his friends or needs time to be alone and collect his thoughts from time to time.
What to do
What a man wants in a relationship is space. Too much closeness can sometimes lead to suffocation. In the relationship, give your partner room to breathe. It’s healthy to have some alone time.
In summary, men want honesty and trust and want to be accepted in a relationship for who they are. They want clear communication, respect, and emotional intimacy from their partner. Men also value commitment, loyalty, stability and growth, but sometimes also long for freedom and independence. By understanding these desires and actively working to fulfill them, women can build strong and fulfilling relationships with their partners.