They aren't encouraged to tune into their sensitive side. Additionally, men often tend to shy away from vulnerable conversations. “It's a little social, but it's also a little biological,” Vossenkemper explains. “On one hand, men are less socially supported when it comes to talking about their feelings.
These cultural norms and gender stereotypes have been circulating for generations, and they can be toxic, especially for males. Men who express their emotions are often seen as weak. Because of that, many men neglect to show their emotions because they're afraid of the repercussions.
The simple truth is that guys are afraid of getting hurt. They may have experienced it in the past and are trying to avoid it in the future. They fear that by showing their feelings too quickly, they will scare away their partners or destroy what they have with them if things don't work out.
"[It could be that] they don't feel safe, in general, opening up. They have been hurt, betrayed, or shamed when they have opened up in the past. Perhaps they feel that you're more demanding that they open up, and are resisting you because they don't want to be controlled.
Someone with hidden feelings might act hot and cold with you. One minute, they might want to stay up all night texting you, and the next, they don't seem to want to hang out at all. If someone's not sure whether you have feelings for them, they might distance themselves to avoid getting hurt.
Men are often hesitant to express their true emotions, which can lead to serious issues in their lives. They may be viewed as cold or distant. They can even develop mental health issues when attempting to suppress how they truly feel.
When upset, women are more likely to express their feelings directly and to seek the support of friends and family, whereas men might hide their emotions or withdraw. Men often feel that they need to be self-reliant and provide for their loved ones, so it is not appropriate to express their emotions.
If he starts to speak to you in a softer, more intimate tone, it's a sign that he's starting to fall for you. This change in tone can be accompanied by other changes in his behavior, such as wanting to spend more time with you and being more protective of you.
In plain language: Men often feel most loved by the women in their lives when their partners hug them, kiss them, smile at them, and explicitly offer gratitude, praise, and words of affection. Men also feel loved and connected through sexuality, often to a greater degree than women do.
For example, a guy might do a lot of things at first to show he cares, such as buying you flowers, paying extra attention to you, and making you feel special. Over time, if the caring is truly genuine, guys will continue to go the extra mile.
It doesn't have anything to do with you or how they feel about you. If your husband or partner shuts down when you cry, for example, it may be because they don't know the best way to handle that display of emotions. It's not that necessarily they don't care about you or value your feelings.
If the man in your life wants to be around you as much as possible, this is likely a sign that his feelings are strengthening. He may stay over at your place more often or regularly ask you to stay at his. He might also make plans weeks or months in advance, ensuring he is able to spend time with you in the future.
Sometimes it has nothing to do with the relationship or you. He is just stressed – it could be work, or maybe he is having some personal issues with his family, friends or health. Sometimes, pulling away is a form of defense mechanism. His past bad experiences can make him afraid of going through heartache again.
If you're wondering, “does he like me or not?” make sure to observe his actions. If he doesn't tell you he's attracted to you, you can tell by his body language and how his eyes move around. He might give you intense eye contact and look at your chest or check you out when you're across the room.
He does and says all the right things and is very conscientious about how he looks, acts, and shows up. He wants everything to be perfect because he knows you deserve everything to be just right. While he might fail miserable, his heart is in the right place and it says a lot about how he feels about you.