On Being A "Strong" Man

I'm a strong woman. Experiences made me strong. Having gone through many difficult things, I learned to be more assertive and I have a much clearer picture of what I want in a partner. Considering that I'm a strong woman, I need to be with a strong man. Problem is, society tells men that they must always  keep their feelings to themselves and I find it very important to be with someone who expresses his emotions. Open communication is very important in a relationship. Thus, men should be encouraged to express their feelings. However, for them to be encouraged to do so, the following misconceptions of what it means to be a strong man must be addressed.

Being emotional means you aren't strong. On the contrary, being able to express your emotions, despite being bombarded with messages that only "girly" or "cowardly" men do so, makes you brave. When you hold back emotions from your female partner, she might become more emotional, as you're not giving her the affection she desires. It might also cause her to question your interest in her.

Real men don't express emotions. Girls express emotions because they're human and they're taught to do so. Men are humans with emotions too so society should encourage them to express their emotions as well. Additionally, what makes you a man is not about how well you can keep your emotions to yourself. Instead, it has to do with how you treat and make the women in your life feel, among other things. Keeping your feelings to yourself only creates a distance and a lack of trust between you and your partner. "Sharing is caring". You and your partner should create a safe space, where both of you can engage in authentic interactions, without being judged.

You won't be able to handle a strong woman, if you aren't super strong. I as a strong woman want to be with someone who's affectionate, caring, nurturing and empathetic. It's only human to want these things from someone who you care about. Strong, independent women, who don't need a man to take care of them, want to be held and comforted at times. We want a man who will break down our invisible walls and connect with us on a deep emotional level. You might have walls up too but here's where you can truly be strong by taking the initiative to break the barriers that's keeping you and your partner in a state of hurt and fear.

Whether you're a man or a woman, having emotions is human. Expressing them is too. Repressing your emotions for fear of being judged, won't work out in the long run. As a man, overcoming that fear is what makes you strong. Being emotional may not come naturally to you, as a strong man. However, many important things take hard work. And keep in mind that most women appreciate men who express their emotions.