By 5 TRUTHS ABOUT MEN AND SEX THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP
It’s Easy to Reduce Men to Creatures Who Only Think About Sex for the Sake of Sex, But This is What Men Are Actually Looking For.
By Alisha Worthington
Yes, a woman is the author of this article.
Some may wonder how I could possibly write about what men hope to get out of their intimate relationships, being female. As a Sex and Intimacy Coach/Educator I work with a lot of women and men seeking to improve their relationships. Many sit across from me expressing their dreams, hopes, frustrations and pain. For a lot of men, it’s the first time they’ve been able to talk about these things in an open and honest way without feeling criticized or defensive.
What I hear men telling me isn’t exactly what people may think. They’re thoughtful, concerned, desiring vulnerability and connection, and genuinely interested in their partner. So, on behalf of the wonderful men with whom I’ve worked, I hope they won’t mind if I share a few things they wished their women knew.
1. He’s more than a raging sex-monster
Most of us tend to think that any male over the age of 16 is walking around barely managing to control themselves and their raging desires. Not true. While, yes, their hormones are increasing and testosterone is linked to sex drive, most men are able to hold jobs, go to school, hang out with friends, eat at a restaurant, go to a ball game, and so on, without transforming into some sort of slobbering I-can-only-think-about-sex monster. Men are human beings capable of experiencing a range of emotions and feelings and, if you’re only viewing them as only thinking about “one thing”, you’re missing out on every other great thing about them.
2. He’s a man of action
A man’s brain is wired for action and physical activity — especially during stressful times, according to Dr. Caroline Leaf.
Men tend to seek a physical way to vent their worries, excitement, and tension through “doing something.” If your partner is suddenly more interested than usual in sex, find out what’s happening in his life instead of just assuming he has suddenly transformed into some one-track-mind caveman.
Keep in mind, sex feels pretty great to most men, happens fairly easily due to biological design, and is a way to relieve tension and relax. If you knew of an activity that provided all these great benefits, wouldn’t you look for opportunities to participate in it? And what if this activity also provided you with a way to connect with the person you love the most? That’s a total bonus and an experience you would probably seek out often.
3. He doesn’t want you to do it out of “duty”
Contrary to popular belief, men aren’t stupid. Moreover, they can tell when you’re there with them out of some sort of obligation or only doing it to make them happy. Of course, there are times when being intimate with your spouse to make him happy is acceptable, but if this is the norm, it’s an aspect of your sexual relationship that needs attention. After a time, duty sex becomes less-than-satisfying for him because he ends up feeling like he just used someone he loves. I’ve heard several men say they would rather not have sex than continue like that.
If desire or libido is an issue for you, there are classes, books, and strategies for learning about and taking ownership over this part of your sexual experience. Your man would rather you be a willing and enthusiastic partner than just another “checked box” on your to-do list.
4. He doesn’t just want intercourse, he wants affection
In the beginning stages of a new marriage, sex itself generally becomes the focus for a while. Once the couple begins settling into a routine and life, we sometimes forget about all the daily opportunities we have to connect, physically and emotionally, beyond just the bedroom through hugs and little touches.
I’ve heard many women complain that their man only seems interested in sex and/or if they initiate any touch at all that their spouse thinks it means they want to get “right to sex.” When I ask them if they’re taking advantage of other times to be affectionate, many couples say they’re not. This is due to a myriad of reasons — kids, jobs, sleep schedules.
When we relegate touch and affection to just the bedroom, it’s akin to spending the week in a desert, being offered a glass of water, and then being told to just take a sip. It’s difficult to not want more. By making a concerted effort to increase touch and affection throughout the week, many couples find a greater sense of connection, feel less tension, and enjoy a greater feeling of mutual satisfaction.
5. Your body is like a foreign language — and he needs you to help him learn it
If you were asked to fly an airplane, would you know what to do? Which lever would you push? What do all the buttons mean? And yet, a lot of women expect their men to know how to interact with their body and “give” them the experience they’re hoping for. By having this expectation, women are essentially setting their partners up for failure and feelings of inadequacy.
Men tell me all the time their greatest desire is to please their partner and to know she’s getting as much out of their intimate life as he is. To do that, he actually needs you to tell him what you like, don’t like, and want more of. Of course, there are books he could read and classes he could take, but there isn’t a class out there detailing the specifics of your unique body, needs and wants. So, give the guy a little help, don’t expect him to read your mind but just tell him. I know it seems simplistic but it’s amazing how far a little communication will go. You’ll both be glad you did.
In conclusion, recognize you’re married to an evolved human man and not some raging sex fiend
While there are a few men out there who fit that description, they are usually the exception and not the rule, and those are the men who aren’t generally looking for long-term relationships anyway. The man you’ve chosen is a complex man with feelings and hopes just like you and is anxious to do what he can to improve your relationship.
