Dating isn't always an easy road. So when you think you've finally found the one, whether it's your boyfriend or husband, you're psyched. Until you start noticing signs your SO is a man-child.
You assume that kind of behavior would rear its ugly head on the first date. But there's a huge difference between dating a man-child and dating a scrub. A man-child can actually be kind of endearing at first. They seem fun, boisterous, and act like they don't give a sh*t. You think they're giving the middle finger to societal norms because they march to the beat of their own drum. You assume that they're a free bird and that their immaturity is really them just having a good time.
And then you start to notice the characteristics of a man-child and think, “Dear god. I'm a man child's girlfriend.” A man child is exactly what they sound like — a grown ass man who acts like a child. They are demanding, selfish, and immature. They think the sun rises and sets on them, and they can't handle any responsibilities. They act like a giant toddler, but without the cute dimples or the luxury of being two years old. You think you can change him, and maybe you can, but it's not going to be easy. If your guy is showing any of these traits, he's got some serious growing up to do.
1He Throws A Tantrum When He Doesn't Get His Way
Whether it's over sex, a date night, or a dinner request, a man-child will throw a tantrum when he doesn't get what he wants. And a tantrum doesn't have to be on the floor kicking feet and banging fists. A tantrum can be pouting for hours, making you feel bad for refusing him, or even yelling and arguing until you give in. Basically, acting like an overgrown toddler.
2He Refuses To Admit He Was Wrong
A man-child will deny that they have done anything wrong, even if you've caught them in the act. They'll lie to keep you from thinking they're anything but perfect, and will go so far as to convince you that you've made the whole thing up.
3He Is A Sore Loser
It doesn't matter if you're playing Yahtzee or if he's in an intramural softball league, anybody who can't handle losing is a total man child. In fact, if your man has this behavior, you've probably lost a game on purpose just to keep him from having a tantrum.
4He Always Blames Someone Else For His Actions
It's bad enough that he won't admit when he screwed up, but it's really bad when he blames his screw ups on someone else. He cheated on you because you made him unhappy. He got fired from his job because his boss hates him. He has a bad attitude because you're always on his back. Tale as old as time, song as old as BS.
5He's Irresponsible With His Finances
You don't have to be a Rockefeller to do well with your finances, but your man should at least know how to save money, how to spend it wisely, and why it's so important. We all love to indulge and I've definitely left Target thinking, "Oops!" before, but if your man is blowing his paychecks on crap and letting bills go unpaid so he can have hot wings and beer, you've got a man-child on your hands.
6He Relishes In His Mother Babying Him
Being a mother myself, I understand that no matter how old a man gets, he's still his mom's baby. She's always going to worry about him and want to take care of him. But most men are totally irritated by this and wish their moms would just leave them be. A man-child, however, relishes in his mother fawning over him. A man-child calls his mom the minute he has a sniffle or a bad day at work just to hear her tell him how amazing he is and how he'll get through it. He also loves when his mom makes comments about you not taking care of him as well as he should be.
7He Is Selfish
One of the worst characteristics for any human is a main trait of a man-child. They think of no one but themselves, never stop to think how their actions may affect someone, and think the entire world revolves around them. They're selfish with their money and their time, and they will always do what's best for them, and only them. Sounds like a child, right?
8He Is All Talk And No Action
Maybe your SO won you over in the beginning by talking about his ambitions, his aspirations, and his goals. But three years later? He's still running that mouth. A man-child loves to make himself look like a big shot, especially to you, even if it means lying through his teeth.
9He Puts His Hobbies Over His Responsibilities
My boyfriend enjoys a video game night every month or so with his buddies and he never turns down a football game on TV, but he doesn't put his hobbies over his responsibilities. It's fine to indulge, but it's a huge red flag when your man called in sick to work so he could play the latest Call of Duty game or when he refuses to take you out for your birthday because there's a basketball game on.
10He Never Considers Your Feelings Or Opinions
He brings home dinner without asking you what you wanted and he makes plans before knowing you're free. It's selfish behavior, sure, but it's also proof that he thinks he's entitled to whatever he wants, regardless of you and your feelings.
11He Expects You To Cater To His Every Need
He leaves his laundry piling up so you'll do it for him. He expects you to cook if he comes over. For a chauvinistic pig, this kind of behavior is due to his thoughts that women are inferior, but for a man-child, he doesn't think he should have to do anything for himself if you're around to do it.
12He Still Parties Like He's In College
I'm all for a night of debauchery, no matter how old you are. But partying like you're still in college when you are definitely not? Gross. No one needs to do a keg stand on a Wednesday night past the age of 21 and no one should be spending their money on PBR and cheap vodka every weekend.
13He Refuses To Talk About The Future
Men want to talk about the future with you. They want to make goals for your relationship, dream about where you'll be in a year, and make sure that you know he's in it for the long haul. A man-child, however, can't see past the next hour. The only future he's planning is his next drinking night with the bros or how long he has to listen to you talk before he can play video games.
14He Belittles You To Make Himself Look Good
Any man that talks down to you is no good, but especially if he does so to make himself look better. You tell him he hasn't unloaded the dishwasher in over a month, and the first thing he fires back at you is that you've put on weight. It's immature, petty, and a total douche move.
15He Can't Take Care Of Himself
Sure, it's a running joke that men eat McDonald's most weeknights and have no idea how to do laundry, but a guy who literally can't take care of himself is a totally different beast. He's never made a dental appointment, he lets his car run out of oil and destroy his engine, and the worst part? He doesn't even care.
16His Friends Are *ssholes
His friends consider quality time making fun of women at the bar and ranking your friends on levels of hotness. When your man refuses to accept that his friends are immature jerks, it just makes him look even worse.
17He Doesn't Care If You Get Yours During Sex
Once he's cum, he's done. You know the type. He won't even attempt to get you off because now he's "worn out" and tells you that you should've gotten off while he was "blessing" you with his mighty penis. Yeah. OK.
18He Thinks The Kids Are Your Responsibility
If the two of you have children, your man-child of a partner thinks those little ones you somehow created all on your own are also your problem. He gags over diaper changes, tells you it's "your turn" to give the kids a bath, and refuses to step in and help.
19He Can't Handle A Cold
OK, this may apply to all men. But a man-child considered a sniffle a reason to stay home on the couch and whine for a week and a half. (Proof that women are obviously the stronger sex, by the way.)
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