The Basic Difference between Men and Women

Basic differences exist between men and women. To have a healthy marriage, each spouse must accept, expect and respect these differences. For instance…

• Most frequent complaint men have about women: Women are always trying to change them. Most frequent complaint women have about men: Men don’t listen.
• Housework: a man will avoid it at all costs; feels demeaned by doing it. For a woman, having a clean house is having a warm, homey nest. Men and women have different ideas about cleanliness and dirt.
• Women need to receive caring, devotion, and reassurance, and are motivated when they feel cherished. Men need to receive trust, acceptance, admiration, and approval, and are motivated when they feel needed.
• Women are concerned about physical attractiveness, and changes in this area can be very difficult. Men’s self-esteem is more career-related, and they feel devastated by failure and financial setbacks; men tend to obsess more about money than do women.
• When a woman tries to change, improve, correct or give advice to a man, he hears he is being told he isn’t competent.

While men and women have differing views as well as differing needs, both can win when the marriage is placed above any one individual. Just knowing and understanding these key differences in your spouse can make all the difference.

If you would like more information on how to develop and maintain a Healthy Marriage and Relationship, visit us on the web at www.WYOFAMS.org. You can also register for upcoming classes in your area, download brochures, and view fact sheets on a variety of subjects.

The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative, For Ever After!

*adapted from the article “Can you relate?” from Marriage Today Magazine, summer 2007 edition. To view more, log onto www.marriagetoday.org