Husbands, we need to have an honest conversation.
A year ago, I shared a message aimed at wives whose partners struggled to accept their changing bodies. Today, I want to address the husbands who play a role in this ongoing struggle.
You may have been living in a comfortable bubble that misleads you into believing your wife should adhere to unrealistic beauty standards. From a young age, media has bombarded you with images of slender, youthful women who resemble dolls more than real people. We’ve all been conditioned to fear aging, equate weight loss with success, and view natural aspects of the human body, like cellulite, as flaws that need fixing immediately.
It’s time for a serious wake-up call. The truth is, we have all been taught wrong. The majority of women feel awful about their bodies, and when you make jokes or criticize your wife for gaining weight or aging, you only add to her feelings of inadequacy and shame.
Let’s be clear: your wife’s body is not yours to control. She inhabits it, and she alone decides how to care for it. Negative comments about her appearance, simply because you’ve been conditioned to think they’re acceptable, are unnecessary, unkind, and even abusive over time. What she needs is for you to mature and rethink your own ingrained beliefs about bodies. It’s time to replace your critical eye with admiration for the woman you love.
I’ve seen this happen to so many women who reach out to me on social media, seeking advice on how to cope with a partner’s hurtful words. As an advocate for body positivity and self-love, I don’t advise them to change their appearance. Instead, I encourage them to firmly establish boundaries and communicate that criticism is not acceptable. This creates an additional burden for women who are already navigating a challenging environment at home.
I remind them that their bodies are not the issue—society’s harmful, profit-driven standards are. If a husband can’t accept the changes his wife goes through, he’s part of the problem.
Personal Story
Let me share a personal story. Back in 2014, I was a 30-year-old woman looking for love after a tough divorce. I focused on staying thin and looking appealing until I met Jason, an athletic and charming man with a sweet demeanor. We clicked, dated, and eventually married.
In the early days, we both felt pressure to present our best selves. But after having children, I experienced the physical changes many women do: weight gain, stretch marks, and loose skin. These changes are natural and should not be sources of shame.
Over the years, Jason’s body has changed, too. He has gained weight and spends more time with our kids than at the gym. Yet not once have I viewed him any less because of these changes. In fact, I find him even more attractive now that he’s being his authentic self, without the need for constant upkeep.
This mutual acceptance allows us to embrace each other as we evolve. If you can’t learn to appreciate your spouse’s body at any stage, you need to reconsider the commitment you’ve made.
I wish for all couples to experience this kind of love. It’s far better than nitpicking and criticizing your partner for not fitting into a narrow ideal.
So, husbands, it’s time to get on board with your wife’s evolving body. Challenge your perceptions, confront your biases, and fall in love again with the amazing woman by your side.
Further Insights
For further insights on topics like this, check out our other blog posts, such as this one on home insemination. Also, if you’re considering starting a family, Make a Mom is a great authority on this topic. For more resources, visit Healthline for information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Search Queries:
- How to support my wife’s body changes
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Summary
Husbands must recognize the impact of societal beauty standards on their wives’ self-esteem. It’s crucial to support and embrace the natural changes women experience in their bodies, rather than criticize them. By fostering love and acceptance, couples can strengthen their relationships and grow together through life’s inevitable changes.