Men Receiving Influence From Wives

I want to talk about the importance of men receiving influence from their wives. According to research, it is one of the most important predictors of success in marriage. Women are more naturally open to receiving input from their husbands and sharing when it comes to relationships. However, men can view receiving input and influence from their wives as being weak.

there is a natural pride in just about every man that makes him highly sensitive to the issue of honor and esteem.

It is common for men to fear being henpecked or controlled by their wives. In spite of the progress that has been made in the arena of women's rights, male chauvinism is alive and well. But beyond the issue of male chauvinism, there is a natural pride in just about every man that makes him highly sensitive to the issue of honor and esteem.

This is why men don't stop and ask for directions when they are lost. It is also the reason they can be resistant to receiving advice and input from their wives. For all of the men reading this, I want you to know that it is very important for you to learn to receive input from your wife and to let her know that you value her ideas and feelings. Your need for esteem is important. But your wife's need to feel valued in the relationship is of equal importance.

When Karen and I first got married I was chauvinistic and very insecure. That is a bad combination. When Karen shared with me, I would roll my eyes, make sarcastic comments and let her know in no uncertain terms that I didn't value her input. Because I didn't understand her different nature as a woman, I thought many of her ideas were just plain stupid. It wasn't long before we were wounding each other regularly with our mutually sarcastic and negative comments.

We have now been married for over thirty-five years. I'm a different man today. I deeply value Karen's input. She is God's gift to me. In every area of our marriage and my personal life, she has enriched me. She helps put me in touch with feelings I am not sensitive to without her. These feelings include hers, mine and other peoples. She helps me make better decisions because she has a unique perspective that broadens my viewpoint.

Karen has such incredible wisdom. Sometimes it takes me a while to process what she is saying because she thinks in a different manner than me. But I have learned to listen to her and value her ideas and feelings. It really makes a woman feel special and secure in a marriage when she knows her input is received. Few things hurt a woman more than to be rejected and devalued by her husband as she tries to share her viewpoints.

Women are a gift from God. Society is greatly benefited by the influence women bring to men. Without them, men are much less productive and much more dangerous to themselves and others. The more men understand how much they need women and value their input, the better they are. Let your wife know that you are thankful for her as you honor her ideas and feelings.