Infidelity Recovery: What is it with Men?
- Date: 2006-11-08 - Word Count: 424
Share This!
I've worked intensively with hundreds of couples over the past 25 years and, of course, you will not be surprised to know that more women than men are "open" to marital therapy and talking about relationships in general.
Most men reluctantly enter the realm only if they "have to." Their marital world usually needs to be in dire straits before they give their assent.
Here are some observations about this phenomenon:
1. Men think they are inadequate when it comes to expressing feelings or inner thoughts. And, they assume this is what marital therapy is all about. They perceive the woman as the expert in this realm and they assume that they will be in the "one-down" situation when it comes to working on the relationship. And, of course, no man wants to be one-down.
2. Men usually internalize. That is, they work through, or think through, a situation or problem. No one may know what is happening between their ears. Men usually do not have a need to "talk out" a problem or situation. And, of course, working on a relationship is about "talking it out." At least that is what grocery store magazines and talk show hosts say.
3. Men are practical problem solvers. They define the problem, look at solutions and implement the solution. And, if that didn't work, try another solution. Wooo-hooo psycho-babble is a foreign world and they don't want anything to do with it.
I'm really being a little unfair to men here. Men, don't be too upset. I sometimes make strong statements to make a point.
Some women, I find, share these traits as well. Actually it may be that more and more women share some of these characteristics. It's Not Always Gender
I conclude that the important issue here is not one of gender, but that of being in a polarized relationship. By that I mean, one person internalizes more and the other person has more of a need to externalize or "talk it through."
The externalizer sees great value in self help books, perhaps therapy, and finds materials that will help him/her talk about and work on the relationship.
The other partner thinks, "Oh no, do I have to?" And, only if his/her emotional or relational equilibrium is highly threatened will he/she journey into this territory. If he/she does, it is only to the degree that the partner is appeased or he/she can find a quick and graceful way out.
A beginning point for a "polarized" couple is to acknowledge the phenomenon. Polarization must be addressed before a couple can effectively repair or reconstruct the relationship.
Most men reluctantly enter the realm only if they "have to." Their marital world usually needs to be in dire straits before they give their assent.
Here are some observations about this phenomenon:
1. Men think they are inadequate when it comes to expressing feelings or inner thoughts. And, they assume this is what marital therapy is all about. They perceive the woman as the expert in this realm and they assume that they will be in the "one-down" situation when it comes to working on the relationship. And, of course, no man wants to be one-down.
2. Men usually internalize. That is, they work through, or think through, a situation or problem. No one may know what is happening between their ears. Men usually do not have a need to "talk out" a problem or situation. And, of course, working on a relationship is about "talking it out." At least that is what grocery store magazines and talk show hosts say.
3. Men are practical problem solvers. They define the problem, look at solutions and implement the solution. And, if that didn't work, try another solution. Wooo-hooo psycho-babble is a foreign world and they don't want anything to do with it.
I'm really being a little unfair to men here. Men, don't be too upset. I sometimes make strong statements to make a point.
Some women, I find, share these traits as well. Actually it may be that more and more women share some of these characteristics. It's Not Always Gender
I conclude that the important issue here is not one of gender, but that of being in a polarized relationship. By that I mean, one person internalizes more and the other person has more of a need to externalize or "talk it through."
The externalizer sees great value in self help books, perhaps therapy, and finds materials that will help him/her talk about and work on the relationship.
The other partner thinks, "Oh no, do I have to?" And, only if his/her emotional or relational equilibrium is highly threatened will he/she journey into this territory. If he/she does, it is only to the degree that the partner is appeased or he/she can find a quick and graceful way out.
A beginning point for a "polarized" couple is to acknowledge the phenomenon. Polarization must be addressed before a couple can effectively repair or reconstruct the relationship.
Dr. Robert Huizenga, the Infidelity Coach, offers infidelity help and relationship advice for coping with extramarital affairs and marital infidelity at: http://Break Free-From-the-Affair.com and http://Infidelity-help.com. Get articles and free downloads on emotional infidelity, coping with infidelity, the cheating spouse, signs of an affair, surviving infidelity and more.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- How to Catch a Cheater and Fight Against the Epidemic of Online Infidelity
There are numerous individuals that have experienced the painful impact caused when a partner or spo - How to Find Out If My Husband is Cheating Online Again
Would you like to learn how to find out if my husband is cheating online again? Are you suspicious t - Why Men Keep Cheating on Their Women to See Other Girls
In every relationship fidelity is very important and most separations occur due to the lack of fidel - How to Stop Her Thinking of Other Guys and Cheating You
Love is a very important part of anyone's life and their partners play an important role in them. Ev - Extra Marital Affairs Are Nothing New
An extra marital affair, or marital affairs, meaning "outside the marriage" is a phenomenon which ha - I Need to Read My Wife`s Text Messages
"I need to read my wife`s text messages." Is this something that you find yourself declaring because - Is My Husband Cheating Online? - The Answer Maybe Here
Is my husband cheating online? Is this is a question that you want to be answered immediately? Then - How to Find Out if Your Husband Has a Secret Email, Right Here!
How to find out if your husband has a secret email? If you are one of those women who are seeking fo - 3 Signs of a Cheating Spouse
These 3 signs of cheating spouses can help you can catch your cheating spouse if you know what look - 8 Signs Your Boyfriend is Cheating - Dealing With a Cheater
Your relationship started off so well. You guys were inseparable and you did everything as a couple.
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Is Your Spouse Cheating? Look For The Signs
If you have a hunch your partner isn't telling the truth about working late, possibly, just maybe yo - Experts Know How to Catch a Cheating Boyfriend
He’s been keeping odd hours. Perhaps he seems withdrawn or aloof. Maybe he seems to be actin - How To Catch A Cheating Spouse With A Hidden Camera
For a married individual, there is nothing worse than experiencing the feeling that eats away at you - 6 Signs Of A Cheating Wife
When you get that first inkling that something may be wrong with your marriage do you know the signs - Hiring A Private Investigator To Find A Cheating Partner
If you suspect your spouse might be cheating, there are many, many ways to go about finding them out - Getting Involved With Someone At Work
We've all heard about developing affairs in the workplace that lead to disaster - the bottom line is - Finding About Your Cheating Wife
Typically, when we hear the word "cheating", as it relates to marriage and serious relationships, we - Infidelity: Why The Need To Know Is So Strong
When you discover that your partner is immersed in infidelity, you may have a powerful need to know. - Maybe Next Time He'll Think Before He Cheats
I am sure you have heard the Carrie Underwood song of the same name by now. Most of us who have been - The Lying, Cheating Louse!!
"Oh Shelly, I love you so much," my boyfriend Dave would say every day and every night. He was such