Several of my clients have come to me with circumstances that have a consistent theme: Their man is a guy who has a value system which is blatantly disrespectful to women and they allow their self-respect to be tested repeatedly by these guys. If a person is disrespectful toward you, that is definitely a problem within the offender. When you allow the disrespect to continue consciously, when does the problem become more a reflection of your self-respect than it does of the offender’s values?
Mistreatment
No one deserves mistreatment. If a man is disrespectful toward a woman or vice-versa, either way it is wrong. The bigger picture is mistreatment is unacceptable. Men and women both sometimes suffer from being victimized by mistreatment and feeling as though they can fix the other party. The truth is no one can get help who doesn’t want help. Allowing someone to mistreat you is not helping them. Waiting on them to “do right” is not helping them.
The best thing you can do to help someone who continuously treats you less than with the utmost respect and dignity, is to hold them to your value system of respect and dignity or they don’t deserve to be in your life. Some of these people will try to manipulate you, to be who they want to you to be. Often, they may say what they believe you want to hear; whatever is necessary to get back in your life. Do not allow this to happen.
If someone is mistreating you, unless they come back to you with a contrite heart and a change in how they value you and respect you (without trying to manipulate you), they are not ready to respect you and value you—and you should respect their values (or lack thereof) enough to realize they don’t match yours.
Value System
Each and every one of us have values. Most of our values are developed at a young age and refined throughout our lives. The challenge I hear so often is a couple’s values don’t align. If two people’s value systems do not align, their lives, goals, dreams and ambitions are not going to align either. It’s ok for your value system to not align but your relationship will be challenged to say the least.
It’s imperative to understand if your values don’t align, your lives won’t align and you will find yourself fighting for your beliefs and in some cases your self-respect and dignity quite often. For example, if a man grew up watching his dad cheat on his mom, and he does it, but his mate grew up in a two-parent home where infidelity was not an issue, this is pointing toward a likely value system that doesn’t align.
Every man who saw cheating doesn’t cheat, but for the sake of this article, let’s assume this man cheats on his mate and she finds out. Not only is she heartbroken, but it will be totally against her value system, because she didn’t see it growing up and it’s not what she expected from her committed relationship. She won’t understand the transgression the same as a woman who might have dealt with it earlier in life.
Before you walk down the aisle, take time to find out if your values align. Values will reflect in the character of your mate and if your mate’s character doesn’t meet your standard, it’s better to find out before the wedding and take the steps necessary to find someone who aligns with your values.
THIS CONFIRMATION HIT HOME! I left my husband because he flat out REFUSED to show me respect. No matter how many times I brought the issues up. He tested me at every turn. He didn’t want to act like we were married, he didn’t come home, we didn’t share meals, he continued to talk to other women via social websites, he allowed his children and other family members to be just as disrespectful. I finally had enough and succeeded at my 4th time trying to leave my dysfunctional marriage. He didn’t want to see what he was doing wrong therefore playing the victim.
I recently started trying the dating game again and ended something before it got started because things felt too familiar as far as disrespect goes. NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!
Shaun, I’m glad the article resonated with you. Best of luck moving forward and thanks for the comments!
THIS CONFIRMATION HIT HOME! I left my husband because he flat out REFUSED to show me respect. No matter how many times I brought the issues up. He tested me at every turn. He didn’t want to act like we were married, he didn’t come home, we didn’t share meals, he continued to talk to other women via social websites, he allowed his children and other family members to be just as disrespectful. I finally had enough and succeeded at my 4th time trying to leave my dysfunctional marriage. He didn’t want to see what he was doing wrong therefore playing the victim.
I recently started trying the dating game again and ended something before it got started because things felt too familiar as far as disrespect goes. NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!
My mate that I been invoked with for three years always on fb post comments about other female body parts .n his page is blocked where I can’t see his posts ..I am so tired and fed up till it’s stArting to weigh me down ..what can I do ??