My husband called and declared enthusiastically: “I have a fun date for our anniversary!” He had my attention—especially since we hadn’t been out in more than a year—and I asked what he had in mind. I pictured a fancy dinner or a night away for just the two of us, and he told me his Edmonton Oilers were slated to draft first overall and there was a free draft party. They’d even have free hot dogs! Our fifth anniversary remains infamous because although I did come out with him that night, it was not my idea of fun.
His thought process leading up to our “draft date” exemplifies the stereotypical husband who struggles with romance. We see stereotypes like this in TV shows all the time, usually used as comic relief. Part of what makes stereotypes like these funny is that there’s often an element of truth behind them. Here are 4 stereotypes about husbands that are actually true and have their benefits. Are any of them true for your husband?
1. Husbands suffer from man-vision.
Many men struggle to find the ketchup in the refrigerator, only to have someone else point out that it’s right in front of them. This “man-vision” is frequently the result of a male tendency to stay focused on one task to the exclusion of all others. But it can also mean that no matter how chaotic life gets, he doesn’t get distracted as easily.
The benefit: Wives often see that a husband with man-vision can stay focused on the most important things to the benefit of the entire family.
2. Husbands are childish.
Whether it’s wanting to buy the newest LEGO Creator set or staying up too late playing video games, husbands can seem like a bonus kid in the family. This often helps dads build healthy relationships with their kids. But a childlike attitude isn’t just about playing around. It helps sometimes not to take life too seriously.
The benefit: Men who can be childlike can also encourage playfulness in their wives, which can help them relieve some stress.
The benefit: Men who can be childlike can also encourage playfulness in their wives, which can help them relieve some stress. Click To Tweet3. Husbands don’t know what they’re doing.
Many husbands love a good do-it-yourself project, but not every husband knows what he’s doing. At times, this means a husband takes on a project he has no clue how to finish. This usually leads him to ask for help from a friend or from a professional. Men who do this show that they are open to growing and learning no matter what the problem is.
The benefit: Wives of these guys trust that when problems arise, their husbands will find ways to fix them.
4. Husbands have one thing on their minds.
Many people suspect that husbands are only thinking about sex. While this is often seen as a negative, intimacy and romance are important parts of marriage and family life. It’s true that some men get carried away and can behave as if their wives owe them physical intimacy.
The benefit: A husband who always remembers how much he is attracted to his wife is likely to invest his whole self in their relationship.
Which stereotypes about husbands are true for yours, and how can you see it as a positive?
