EP156: Don’t Be Vulnerable: Men and Passive Aggressive Behavior

In this episode we focus on how men’s childhoods can set them up to avoid vulnerability and instead to cope via passive aggressive behavior in order to stay away judgment and conflict. Of course, that is exactly what they end up embroiled in because they are not stepping up confidently and being strong dads and partners.  They are letting themselves down with their inauthenticity and therefore the inability to experience great relationships. We talk about how they often pair up with partners who have a penchant for rescuing rather than risking loss via setting firm boundaries and detaching, setting up a futile parent vs child dynamic instead of loving partners.

Society teaches boys not to cry

or show their feelings,

then act surprised when

some men act heartless.

- Unknown

 Key Elements:

• Explore some of the reasons men struggle with vulnerability.
• Look at how passive-aggressive behavior hurts men’s ability to partner.
• Look at how men can begin to work on healing and connect better.

Resources:

What kind of Woman Marries the Passive-Aggressive Man by Cathy Meyer.

https://www.liveabout.com/what-kind-of-woman-marries-the-passive-aggressive-man-1102897#:~:text=The%20passive%20aggressive%20man%20or,aggressive%20man%20will%20do%20both

The Good Men Project:

https://goodmenproject.com/sex-relationships/the-subtle-shaming-of-men-and-vulnerability-dg/

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