Are you unsure of what men really want? Who isn’t? HA! Of course, one man is not a monolith for the entire species, but an online survey provided these honest confessions.
1. Men Want Time Alone
Time alone is something most men appreciate. Spending time alone is my husband’s recharge, and he deserves it after all he does for us. It’s healthy and necessary for people to spend time alone for a couple of reasons. First, it helps you develop a deeper understanding of who you are. Second, spending some time apart is a part of being in a healthy relationship.
2. Men Want a Good Night’s Sleep
Speaking of alone time, many men sacrifice their sleep time to entertain having their separate space to sit with themselves, to indulge in passions, or to do the things they want to do. Men really want more sleep.
3. Men Want Compliments
Many men confess to holding onto compliments for years because they are few and far between. It’s typically the opposite for women because they tend to compliment their friends frequently. Unfortunately, far too many men do not.
4. Men Want to Love and Be Loved
God created us to love, so it’s unsurprising to hear that men want to love and be loved. From being the reason someone is excited for their day to wanting to be able to trust them with their vulnerability — men want to be loved.
5. Men Want a Back and Neck Massage
While not everyone likes physical affection, many men appreciate back tickles, scratches, and rubs. In addition to traditional back massages, my husband loves it when I rub his forearms and head. He returned the favor, and having your forearms rubbed feels amazing.
6. Men Want Companionship and Deep Emotional Connection
Having companionship and a deep emotional connection is essential to men in a healthy relationship, as one man expresses, even when they are unsure how to ask. He elaborates on how therapy was beneficial for him. Emphasizing the importance of communicating your emotions effectively without getting caught up in them will spare you from many struggles and emotional turmoil.
7. Men Want to See Their Impact
Knowing the impact they’ve had on other people’s lives is something many express wanting to experience. Understanding where you were helpful, loving, loyal, and a multitude of other traits that had positive impacts on others sounds rewarding. A user adds that he finds immense joy in volunteering, and it grants you a glimpse of the impact you’re having.
8. Men Want to Be Debt-Free
Who doesn’t want to be debt-free? It’s becoming harder to achieve this success story, but men crave that freedom and relief from the stress of providing. Some acknowledge it’s a struggle initially to accommodate lifestyle changes that coincide with obtaining a debt-free status. But ultimately, it is worth it.
9. Men Want a Hug
People only realize how wonderful it is to receive a good hug once they go too long without one. Dads share how incredible that part of being a parent is — an increase in super-loving hugs. Although, one warns that they last until their teens, so enjoy them all now.
10. Men Want Reciprocation
Several men admit wanting a fair exchange of loyalty and love with a partner. The fear of being left hanging or questioning where they stand is something that is real within the group.
11. Men Want to Get Into Nature
Numerous men in the thread admit wanting time away in nature, specifically the woods. One paints a glorious picture with a cabin setting, fishing, and hunting.
12. Men Want to Be Vulnerable
Unfortunately, generations of men were raised to believe that showing emotions is a sign of weakness. Several men lament the ability to be vulnerable and be allowed to feel their feelings.
13. Men Want to Be Validated
Men seek validation the same as women. One forum member shares how his wife vowed to ensure he always felt heard at his recent wedding and how much he didn’t even realize he needed to hear it. But it gave him a sense of relief knowing he’d be valued and not belittled for expressing his thoughts and emotions.
14. Men Want Respect
Numerous men in the thread want respect from their peers, coworkers, family, and the women and men they love. Unfortunately, it seems in this day and age, it’s more difficult to obtain.
15. Men Want Sympathy
The consensus of the male forum is that many men do terrible things. But they feel like women often take for granted how they are the recipients instead of the initiator of most interactions. This creates a lot of pressure and room for errors, including overstepping and misunderstanding.
Men are expected to make the first move and proposal in the:
- initial approach
- asking for the first date
- choosing where to go
- asking for follow-up dates
- Physical contact (hand holding, hugging, arm around the shoulder)
- First kiss
- Adult relations
- Marriage
The men in the forum admit they wish that women could cut them some slack. Many good ones are being judged for the poor behaviors of other men. Do you agree with their assessment?
15 Absurd Double Standards That Men Have Encountered in Life — Have You?
As a woman, I know there are plenty of evident double standards women endure. However, a recent online discussion in a popular men’s forum highlighted many double standards men have encountered. Here are what they confessed to.
True Ghost Stories: 3 Terrifyingly True Tales From Living in a Haunted House
Growing up in a haunted house proved terrifying on many occasions. It’s nothing you ever get used to, but something you learn to live with when given no other choice. The home had multiple spirits and another supernatural being with a darker, evil presence.
Not only did I grow up in the home, but as an adult, I moved back into the house with my daughter when my dad remarried and moved out. I know what you’re thinking: “Why would you willingly move back into a haunted home?” I was a single mom with limited options and a loving father. Nonetheless, I have decades’ worth of stories. Here are three of the creepier moments.
15 Things You Do That Signals to Everyone Around You That You’re Insecure
Are you able to pick up on signals from people that indicate their insecurities? You’re not alone. Someone recently asked a popular online community for …
15 Signs That Deep Down You Are a Terrible Person
According to the internet, some undeniable signs signal to others when you are a terrible person. Someone asked a popular forum, “What are signs someone is a horrible person deep down?” And here is how the online community responded.
15 Traits Men Find Super Attractive Aside From Physical Appearance
What traits in a woman do you find attractive or impressive besides her physical appearance? Men in a popular online forum deliberated to deliver this list of attractive qualities.
Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.