There is a set of unrealistic expectations women have of men, which have been gradually shaped through Nicholas Sparks’s novels, romantic movies and even Disney shows. We get so caught up with these high expectations that we often mix our fantasies with reality and forget that those ideal men don’t actually exist. Here are 7 unrealistic expectations women have of men.
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
1. Know the Right Things to Say
One of the unrealistic expectations women have of men is that they should know the right things to say. We are all familiar with the scenes in romantic movies when the main male lead knows exactly what to say and how to say it so that the girl he loves falls for him. The main female lead suddenly gets smitten and they live happily ever after. Unfortunately, in reality that rarely happens. Sometimes it is more likely that men say the exact opposite of what we want to hear. We set ourselves for disappointment when we use fictional characters as a guide to choosing a partner.
2. Fight for Us No Matter What
In real life no guy will run through the airport like a maniac to stop us from leaving, stand outside our door the whole day in the cold nor continuously try to win our heart back when we shut them out. They might try their hardest to make the relationship work but they won’t go to extreme lengths to make a point. We need to stop believing that they will wait for us their whole lives and snap back into reality.
Frequently asked questions
3. Understand Us
We often long for a man who will understand every aspect of us, but in reality men do not have a clue what is going on in our mind, just like we don’t know what is going on in theirs. As hard as we try to find a guy who will be able to read our mind, we will never be successful at it. It is an unrealistic expectation that is completely unattainable.
4. Resemble Our Prince Charming Concept
A good majority of women have a checklist when it comes to picking a guy. We are all searching for a package that consists of good looks, humor, stability, patience, trust and loyalty. We all long for our Prince Charming! However, searching for the perfect guy might be as easy as finding a flying pig. We all know that Prince Charming doesn’t exist but for some reason we still subconsciously search for him.
***
So, why do we cling to this fairytale ideal? Perhaps it's the romantic movies or the enchanting stories we grew up with. Deep down, we know that real relationships are built on compromises and embracing each other's flaws. Expecting a man to tick every single box is a recipe for disappointment. True love is finding someone whose imperfections you can adore, someone who doesn't need to slay dragons because they stand by you when you're slaying your own. Let's adjust our crowns, ladies, and seek a partner, not a savior.
5. Take Care of Everything
One of the gender roles that men have is the responsibility of taking care of the family. A real man has to be able to have financial resources, connections and problem solving skills, but in reality, how many men can do it all? This expectation puts a lot of pressure on the male population and while for some these qualities are completely attainable, others have a hard time reaching the ‘standard.’
***
In an ideal world, every man would be a knight in shining armor, swooping in to fix every leaky faucet and balance the budget with ease. However, humans are not one-dimensional characters; each individual has unique strengths and weaknesses. Expecting one person to be an expert in every realm of life is not only unrealistic but also creates an undue burden. We must acknowledge that greatness comes in many forms, and it is perfectly acceptable for men to ask for help or admit their shortcomings without fear of being deemed less 'manly.'
6. Masculine Yet Sensitive
Another expectation that is required in a man is masculinity and strength. He is supposed to protect and support his family but yet at the same time he has to be the exact opposite of that and have a sensitive side. I can only imagine how confusing it may be for them to please the female population!
***
It's like men are expected to embody the perfect balance of yin and yang, showing firmness when the situation demands it, yet also dripping with empathy during delicate moments. This push and pull between toughness and tenderness is akin to walking a tightrope, fraught with the risk of tipping too far in either direction. The modern man is asked to be a rock and a rose—uncompromising in his convictions, yet soft to the touch. This balancing act is not only complex but sometimes downright exhausting, as the nuances of emotional availability continue to shift.
7. Nonstop Romance
I think we can thank Nicholas Sparks for making us wish that every guy who walks this earth has a romantic bone in his body. We have high hopes for our significant other to be romantic, and then continuously outdo himself the next time. It is a hard expectation to live up to!
Just like men have high expectations for women, women set unrealistic requirements for men. However, none of us are perfect! What are some other unrealistic expectations of men that come to mind?
Comments
Aimee2016: Some guys just don't have enough balls to stand up for us and the masculine part... Well they are very scarce in this small town lol
Shane: #3 lets be honest, most woman don't even know what's going on inntheir head. Let alone any one else.
Ya: Ohhhhh plenty.
KimberlyDawn: I'm so fortunate&blessed!!After 3 children&20 years of marriage,he still kisses me good-bye&says"I love you"before he leaves for work,even if he gets called out at 3a.m.,&kisses me&says hello when he walks in the door.And still does many of the things you listed,even though I never expected it,especially since he sometimes works over 80+hours a week!!
LadyMalice: Perfect men don't exist,their human and have their faults and flaws,bottom line is,all I want in a man is for him to just be there for me when I need him the most
socha: My man does/is all that...:) I'm so lucky and amazed every day!
Natalia: My bf is masculine yet sensitive! :)
Інна: They (men) are from Mars & we are from Venus. So... Not much to say..
:
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge