I know some people think love and respect are mutually exclusive, but I disagree.
If you love someone, you will respect them.
So, that’s why I know when a woman loves her husband, she will respect him and vice versa.
However, I will concede that not every woman knows what it means to respect their man.
Many people think it is just about being together and just existing, but it goes way beyond that.
So, I will be sharing some tips to help your man feel respected.
Let’s check them out.
If You Want Your Man To Feel Respected, Do These 9 Things
1. Acknowledge His Place in Your Life
Okay, let’s start from the one most people will have issues with – acknowledging his place in your life.
I understand that a lot of women have an issue with this subject of letting a man be the man of the house.
And honestly, I get where they are coming from because of how much it’s been abused.
But before you close your mind to it, hear me out.
I’m not asking you to be less of a woman or dumb yourself down for your man.
I find things like that absolutely cringy, so I will never advise you to do that.
All I’m saying is that you should allow your man to feel like your man.
Honestly, it makes them feel useful.
Most men love being providers, protectors, and heroes for their women.
So, let him.
It makes him feel like he matters to you.
For many of them, that’s how they know you consider them your person.
Being the man you can rely on to show up for you when you need help shows him you value his position in your life.
So, let him feel like a key character in your life.
Value his input, celebrate his wins, and let him know that his presence makes a difference in your life.
2. Listen to Him
Men aren’t always the best at expressing themselves, but when they do open up, it will be a big mistake to brush them off or interrupt every sentence with your opinion.
Being vulnerable doesn’t come easily to most of them.
So, if you want him to keep talking to you, you need to encourage him by listening to him.
Now, understand that listening is more than just hearing.
When you are listening to him, your body shows that you are present in the conversation, letting him speak freely without judgment, and genuinely caring about what he has to say.
I’m not saying you have to agree with everything, but you should still pay attention.
It shows him that you value what he is saying.
It tells him that you respect his thoughts and that his voice matters to you.
And honestly, that’s one of the biggest forms of love and respect you can give to a man.
3. Honour Him in Actions and Deeds
You can say you love him from now till next week, but if your actions are telling a different story, you might as well not bother.
Some men indeed like words of affirmation and may hold on to your words.
But it must also be backed by honor in your actions.
If you want to respect a man, you must honor him in the way you speak about him, the way you speak to him, and even the way you carry yourself when he’s not around.
For instance, your respect for him shows in how you don’t flirt with other men in his presence or absence, and you don’t criticize him in public.
Additionally, he sees it in how you’re intentional about showing him he’s your man and you’re proud to be his woman, not just in words, but in the everyday little things too.
4. Acknowledge His Needs and Desires
Men have needs the same way women do.
They have emotional, physical, and mental needs that they might not speak much about, because, like we established, many men struggle with vulnerability.
So when he does mention them or you even sense them, he will know you respect him when you pay attention to meeting them.
I get that you might not be getting all you want and want to focus on that.
But don’t forget he’s a whole human being too.
So, ask him how he’s doing.
Find out what makes him feel loved, desired, and valued.
It could be something as simple as a back rub after work, or listening to his random sports gist.
Whatever it is, the point is not to ignore his needs just because he doesn’t complain loudly.
Respect is also about showing up for him in the way he needs.
5. Believe in Him
Another way to respect your man is to believe in him.
A man wants to know that the woman he loves believes in him, even when he’s doubting himself.
Don’t be that voice that echoes all his fears and insecurities; that doesn’t communicate respect to a man.
I’m not saying you should lie to him about his capabilities, but really, sometimes, all people need is a little push to surprise you.
So see his potential to be great and be his hype woman and personal cheerleader.
You should also encourage his dreams and support his ideas, even if you think they’re a little wild at first.
Honestly, you never know.
Your belief in him can be what lights a fire that pushes him to be better.
Plus, it screams respect for him.
6. Don’t Criticize Him Publicly
I mentioned that in passing earlier, but figured I needed to expand on it.
When I was a teenager, one thing I didn’t like was that my mum would criticize me in public.
I could stand the private berating when I deserved it, but I hated it when it was done in public.
And I have come to realize that this is a common thing; most people hate to be criticized publicly, more so men, because of their ego.
So, even when you are mad at him, and you might even be right to be, dragging your man in public will make him feel disrespected.
Don’t do it among his friends or family, or worse, on social media.
Like I said, men have egos, sometimes fragile ones, and public criticism is something many of them will struggle to forgive.
If you have something to say to him, say it privately and respectfully.
Don’t subject him to public scrutiny; it might take a while for you to make up for that.
7. Respect His Boundaries
Boundaries aren’t just for women; your man has his, too.
For instance, he may not like you chatting with certain people late at night, or he may have certain jokes he doesn’t appreciate.
Respect them, even if you don’t completely agree.
Plus, if you want him to respect your boundaries, you have to return the same energy.
I get that some people might see boundaries as control, but that’s not always the case.
That’s why we should always know the difference between what’s reasonable or not.
Wanting you not to have any friends at all or cut off from your platonic male friend who has been in your life since childhood might be too much.
But expecting you not to chat with that friend at night or be in questionable places together alone is not unreasonable.
Respecting boundaries shows respect for your partner.
So, if he’s drawn a line to protect the relationship, don’t act like you didn’t see it.
You are not showing that you respect or even love him if you do that.
8. Accord Him a Measure of Independence
He had a life before you, and this might come as a surprise, but he still needs some of that life after you.
So, don’t try to control everything he does, especially if it doesn’t have any significant impact on you or your relationship.
For instance, his dress sense, how he arranges his wardrobe, his hobbies, and his job are not things you should try to control.
Now, am I saying you shouldn’t have an input? Absolutely not.
I’m saying you should communicate it from the point of contributing, but not to force him to take your input.
For instance, if you want to improve your man’s dress sense, you might have to start buying him the things you would like on him.
When people start complimenting him, he will get with the program.
You should also not force him to end friendships or throw a tantrum when he wants to hang out with them.
If you’re married, you probably knew who they were before you exchanged vows.
By marrying him, you agreed to accept them too, so don’t change your mind now.
And if you’re not, by staying with him, you also agree.
I personally wouldn’t be with a man who has friends with questionable character, like cheating or being into fraud and all that.
So, do with that information what you will.
The point is, if you are with him, then you need to accept what comes with him.
But if you try to force them out of him, you might put unnecessary strain on your relationship.
So, let him breathe.
You don’t have to agree with every choice, but you should give him room to be his own person.
Smothering someone is not love, and it’s definitely not respect.
9. Respect His Family
You may not like all of them, but how you treat his family says a lot to him.
Always remember that no matter how you feel about them, they are his people, so he likely loves them.
So, even if his mum drives you crazy or his siblings are too much, avoid being disrespectful.
You can set boundaries with kindness, especially in your home.
But don’t make him choose between you and them; it’s a painful and unnecessary position to put him in.
Rather, learn wisdom to deal with them kindly while still maintaining your boundaries.
Men consider it respect when you show love and respect to the people who raised and shaped them.