12 Reasons Your Wife Doesn't Respect You - Olubunmi Mabel

Feeling disrespected by your wife is not one of the best things in the world.

It can make you feel anger, hurt, inadequacy, confusion, or even shame.

Men love to be respected and prioritized by their wives, and when they don’t get that, they feel like something is missing.

And I won’t even blame them because, as humans, we love being respected, especially by the people who mean the most to us.

Respect is a crucial part of every marriage and when it’s lacking, it’s a cause for concern.

Are you a man who feels like he’s not being respected by his wife?

I understand how you may be feeling right now but the first step to handling this situation is understanding why it is in the first place.

Why doesn’t your wife respect you?

12 Reasons Your Wife Doesn’t Respect You: 

1. You don’t respect herreasons your wife doesn't respect you

Respect, they say is reciprocal.

If you don’t respect your wife, Mr. I wonder why you’re reading this article.

You’re the architect of your own problems.

Treating your wife with disdain and belittling her is a sure recipe for getting the same treatment.

You may not have paid much attention to how you treat her, let this be your wake-up call.

Doing things that communicate to her that she’s not important, such as talking down on her, not listening when she speaks, always being on your phone, cheating on her, or downplaying her efforts are all signs of disrespect.

If you’re doing any of these or something similar to her, that’s most likely why she doesn’t respect you either.

Perhaps you’ve done hurtful things to her and failed to apologize or fix things, you’re only paving the way for more contempt in your marriage.

2. You don’t keep your word

One trait that shows that someone is a person of dignity and can be relied on and trusted is their ability to do what they say they will.

It makes people respect them a great deal.

If you’re fond of breaking promises to your wife, don’t be surprised when she stops regarding you and starts showing little esteem for you and your words.

The gift you promised to give her years ago is still hanging in the air, not to mention all the times you promised to be there for her during certain periods or to return home early from work and you failed to do that.

Over time, your words lose weight, and she can’t take him seriously.

No one is saying you have to stop being human and become infallible.

Not at all.

Shit happens in life, and sometimes, regardless of your good intentions, you just can’t fulfill your promise.

That’s okay, but it has to be communicated and explained to your wife.

It also shouldn’t be an event that occurs all the time.

3. You talk too muchreasons your wife doesn't respect you

One of my major turn-offs in guys is being talkative.

I just feel like, as a guy, why do you have so much to say all the time?

Being a chatterbox doesn’t look good on anyone, whether male or female, but when it’s a man, it’s an extra turnoff.

And no, I’m not promoting toxic masculinity or saying men shouldn’t be expressive.

Far from it, I love me an expressive man.

What I’m saying is that when you talk too much as a man, you reduce your steeze (Nigerian slang for style and composure).

Perhaps this is why your wife does not appreciate you so much.

You’re always talking.

Maybe tone it down a little.

4. You’re broke or irresponsiblereasons your wife doesn't respect you

When a man lacks financial strength and stability, he experiences many unpleasant things, especially in romantic relationships.

It’s not pleasant news, and it’s unfair, but that’s the harsh reality of the world we live in.

Men who aren’t rich or comfortable at least are not as respected as the ones who are.

If you’re experiencing a financial crisis or are unable to be the provider in your marriage, we may be able to attribute your wife’s attitude to it and we won’t be wrong.

Women love men who provide and it takes a special kind of maturity and discipline for a woman to honor her man fully when he’s not financially stable.

It’s worse if you’re not just broke but also irresponsible and lacking in ambition.

When bills are due, or chores need doing, you don’t step up, or you’re nowhere to be found, leaving everything on her shoulders.

Perhaps you’re also financially irresponsible, spending recklessly and putting your family’s future at risk.

She’ll see you as someone who is jeopardizing her future, and it’s difficult for anyone to respect such a person.

Maybe you also seem content with mediocrity, showing no drive to improve the lives of your family or pursue your goals.

Your wife will wish you had more passion and ambition, and in no time, your worth in her eyes will begin to depreciate.

5. She’s a disrespectful personreasons your wife doesn't respect you

If your wife disrespects other people be it friends, acquaintances, colleagues, or even subordinates, you know where the issue lies.

A woman who is naturally saucy and rude will be a disrespectful wife.

It may not be anything you did.

It’s just who she is.

Her character is flawed and she sees nothing wrong in uncannily in her relationships with people.

If you saw her that way and married her, then you should have known that she’d do the same to you.

6. She doesn’t want to be married to you

Sometimes things like disrespect are just ways of communicating something deeper.

She doesn’t want the marriage anymore and she doesn’t want to come out and say it.

She knows that disrespect is very likely to make you upset and cause chaos in the marriage so she uses it as a tool.

So while she’s being disrespectful, she’s not only trying to get on your nerves, she’s also trying to get you to a point where you want to quit because she’s already there.

7. She’s got eyes outsidereasons your wife doesn't respect you

Comparison is a terrible thing sometimes because it makes you lose sight of what you have.

Your wife may be disrespectful to you because she’s met someone else.

Perhaps there’s a new guy at her office or one she met at the mall who seems to be everything you’re not.

Maybe you’re short, and he’s tall, or you’re an employee, and he’s a big business owner.

And he probably likes her and is giving her attention and care.

If she entertains this, the likely result is that you’ll begin to fade in comparison to the new guy in her eyes.

And that may make her insolent.

8. You’re always embarrassing her

I know a couple who have an interesting kind of relationship.

The wife loves carrying herself with such poise and class, while the husband is the opposite.

He doesn’t mind being the clown at any gathering he’s in.

I cringe so badly many times as I watch the man pull off sorts of embarrassing stunts when he’s out with his wife, and I can see the look of shame all over her.

This can significantly reduce her respect for him if they don’t handle the situation well.

If you have a habit of saying or doing things that embarrass your wife in public, you just might be eroding her respect for you.

9. Your behavior is unreliablereasons your wife doesn't respect you

Today, you’re sweet and kind; tomorrow, you’re the complete opposite of that.

Your behavior is inconsistent and your wife can’t count on you for affection and support at all times.

This can make her stop looking up to you.

One day you’re attentive and loving, the next you’re distant and cold.

In her times of need, when she needs emotional or practical help, you’re not there for her or you always seem to fall short.

This inconsistency can leave her frustrated and disillusioned by you.

10. Infidelity

Once trust is broken through cheating, respect is hard to rebuild.

Maybe you once cheated and apologized, and you thought it had passed, but she can’t look at you the same way anymore.

Or maybe you’re even a perpetual cheat, philandering and expecting her not to find out or to tolerate your randiness.

She may not be having it.

11. You’re selfishreasons your wife doesn't respect you

If you always come first in your decisions and arrangements, you’re not exactly a great husband.

Your wife may have observed that you’re selfish.

You prioritize your own needs and desires above the family’s.

This can leave her feeling neglected and unappreciated.

And it can change how she sees you.

12. You’re not a leader

People are not just respected just for the sake of it.

Certain attributes make people naturally respectable.

A husband who is indecisive, mediocre, or immature isn’t exactly leading.

Most women crave a partner who can lead and make sound decisions for their family.

So a passive husband can easily become an irritant to them.

Maybe you need to step up your game and prioritize personal growth and evolution instead of sticking to the same old habits and routines.

She wants to see you handle emotions effectively and maturely, like a leader, and not resort to frequent outbursts or sulking.

Failure to do these things can make her feel like she’s dealing with a child, not a partner, and it’s difficult for her to respect you that way.

Disrespect from either husband or wife is not good and should not be welcome in a marriage.

Things like mutual trust, support, and appreciation are key to a thriving marriage and they promote respect too.

When these elements are missing or consistently undermined, it becomes challenging for the marriage to grow.


Editor's Picks

  • featureImage

    The Mall or the Manger?

    Much has changed since the God of the universe decorated the night sky with the star of Bethlehem and directed the choir of angels in a chorus announcing the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. But the commercialism doesn’t have to rule in our hearts and homes. This year let’s focus on the Christ Child and remember the true meaning of the holiday season. As we turn our eyes to the Babe in the manger, we will not view Christmas as a dreaded obligation or a major retail event. It will be a time of joyous celebration, honoring the One Who came to give us eternal life and worshipping our Heavenly Father.

    4 min read