Psychology of Men and Relationships

Relationships

Relationships can be complicated. This is because men and women often have have a difficult time understanding each other. However, the key to a successful relationship is to continually work at it. There are several issues that men may come across when dealing with relationships. Although men are often more inclined to ignore issues that arise in their relationships, it is important for men to make an effort to deal with them.

1. Committment

   • Committment

     When it comes to relationships, one of the biggest problems for some men is entering into one. When dating a woman who begins to display signs that she wants a commitment, some men get nervous and want to leave. Men often view being in a committed relationships as a threat to their freedom. Age may also play a role in commitment issues with men. Younger men who are not yet ready to settle down are generally more wary of entering into a committed relationship, whereas older men who have more dating experience may be more willing to settle down and commit to one person.

   Physical Intimacy

   • Physical Intimacy

     For men, physical intimacy is one of the most important elements in a relationship. In contrast to women who are more verbal by nature, men tend to be more physical beings. They are more inclined to express their feelings about their partner in a relationship through intimate physical contact rather than through words. Disagreements over physical intimacy is a common problem for men in relationships. These problems may develop when a woman feels that the man is overly concerned with physical intimacy or when a man feels deprived of physical intimacy. Therefore, it is very important for couples to address any problems that they have with physical intimacy.

     
     

   Emotional Intimacy

   • Emotional Intimacy

     It is stereotypically assumed that men are supposed to be strong and should not show their emotions. In a relationship, however, it is not always healthy for a man to conceal his feelings. It is natural for the stresses of everyday life to make men feel angry, frustrated or melancholy at times, but remaining emotionally disconnected and trying to be tough on the outside may cause some men to eventually take their frustrations out in inappropriate ways. Although it can be difficult for some men to open up to women, emotional intimacy is very important in a relationship.

   Responsibility

   • Responsibility

     Responsibility will often become an issue for men at some point in their relationship. Men who enjoyed the freedom of being single may have a difficult time getting used to the responsibilities that come with being in a relationship. A man who was accustomed to going and coming as he pleased may become irritated at having to check in with his girlfriend. Responsibility can be an even bigger issue for couples who live together. Men who previously lived alone and moved in with a girlfriend may struggle with remembering to doing household chores. When a man begins to feel weighed down by responsibility, conflict may develop in the relationship. Most men however, can handle responsibility as long as they receive an occasional break. That is why in a relationship, it is important for men to spend time with their friends so that they can relax and unwind.

   Relationship Type

   • Relationship Type

     While some men tend to run from relationships, there are many men who consider themselves to be "the relationship type." These men are not interested in playing the field but are more comfortable being in fulfilling, long-term relationships. Men who are "the relationship type" are not scared away by the thought of commitment, responsibility or emotional intimacy. They are looking for a woman who is attractive, independent, fun, and has a good sense of humor. However, these men often feel that a good woman is hard to find in the same way that women feel that a good man is hard to find.