15 Things A Woman Should Never Say To A Man

In relationships, certain phrases can be hurtful or damaging when said to your man. Statements like “You need to be more manly” or “You’re not as successful as others” can destroy your partner’s self-esteem. This is also true for criticizing his abilities, which can breed general resentment. Below, we’ve outlined many phrases you should avoid in your relationship to make sure it’s a happy one.

This statement can be very hurtful and triggering, as it implies negative traits or behaviors associated with the man’s father. Saying this will be especially hurtful if you’re aware of any bad history between them. It can also suggest a lack of individuality or autonomy in his actions, making him feel self-conscious.

Declaring independence to the extent of not needing a partner signals a lack of appreciation for their presence and their support. It undermines the importance of being able to rely on each other in a healthy relationship, causing feelings of insignificance or rejection which could lead to the end of your relationship.

Nobody likes to hear this. Criticizing a man’s abilities or efforts in such a sweeping manner can really damage his self-esteem and motivation. It creates a sense of constant failure and inadequacy, eroding his confidence and potentially leading to resentment or withdrawal. If you don’t support him, he won’t see the point of putting effort into maintaining the relationship.

Implying that a man fails to meet the general standards of masculinity can be deeply hurtful and damaging to his self-esteem. It also relies on harmful stereotypes and expectations, making him feel inadequate or insecure about his identity and worth. These expectations can cause toxicity in your relationship, making it an unhappy environment for both of you.

Pressuring a man to conform to outdated notions of masculinity can be harmful, oppressive, and incredibly toxic. It also implies that vulnerability or sensitivity is inherently weak, reinforcing toxic masculinity and potentially causing emotional distress. It can also be very damaging to the male psyche.

Comparing a person’s success to that of others can be demoralizing and damaging to their self-esteem. It disregards their individual accomplishments, and implies that they are inadequate. This can lead to feelings of insecurity or resentment in the relationship, eroding trust and intimacy between you both.

Declaring a lack of trust in someone can be deeply hurtful and damaging to the relationship. It undermines the foundation of mutual respect, which is essential for healthy communication and intimacy. This can lead to feelings of insecurity or defensiveness, creating a barrier to emotional connection and vulnerability.

Expressing dissatisfaction with someone’s performance in the relationship can be hurtful and damaging to their self-esteem. It undermines their sense of worth and does not effectively address any underlying issues that may be responsible. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy or resentment, creating a barrier to emotional intimacy and connection.

Criticizing someone’s perceived level of attachment or emotional dependency can be dismissive of their need for closeness and connection. It implies a lack of understanding or empathy, which may not reflect the person’s true intentions. This can lead to feelings of rejection or insecurity, which will make him want to stop being intimate with you.

Insulting someone’s maturity level can be demeaning and hurtful to their sense of self-worth. It undermines their credibility and may not address any underlying issues effectively. This can lead to feelings of resentment or inadequacy, hindering their ability to engage in healthy communication and decision-making.

Making sweeping generalizations about a person’s gender is dismissive of their individual life experiences and uniqueness, and implies a lack of appreciation for their personal qualities. This can lead to them feeling misunderstood or unappreciated, damaging the relationship dynamic. It may make them question why you even wanted to be in a relationship with them in the first place.

Declaring a lack of prioritization in someone’s life can be so harmful and permanently damaging to your relationship. It undermines their sense of importance, and may not address any underlying issues effectively. This can lead to feelings of rejection or resentment, creating a barrier to emotional intimacy and connection.

Criticizing someone’s financial status or earning potential is dismissive of their efforts and contributions. It undermines their sense of worth, and doesn’t consider external factors influencing their current situation. Unsurprisingly, this can lead to feelings of inadequacy or resentment, damaging the relationship dynamic. He will feel like you’re only with him for his money, not because you actually like him.

Using derogatory language to insult someone’s lack of success or accomplishment can deeply affect them negatively and damage their self-esteem. It undermines their confidence and may not reflect their true abilities. This can lead to shame or inadequacy, making them want to hide their true self.

Expressing regret or dissatisfaction with the relationship is a devastating blow to someone’s self-esteem and emotional wellbeing. It undermines their sense of worth and does not address the underlying issues effectively, which helps no one. This can lead to feelings of rejection or abandonment, damaging the relationship dynamic. It’s a lose-lose situation!