From Fear to Intimacy

Gender

Fragile Masculinity and Hypermasculine Defenses

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on March 25, 2024

How men use hypermasculine defenses to protect a fragile sense of masculinity.

How men use hypermasculine defenses to protect a fragile sense of masculinity.

Relationships

Early Childhood Origins of Men’s Fears of Women

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on March 11, 2024

Men's fears of women in intimate relationships may stem from their earliest relationships with their mothers.

Men's fears of women in intimate relationships may stem from their earliest relationships with their mothers.

Relationships

Revitalize Your Relationship by Getting Unstuck From Traditional Roles

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on February 12, 2024

Both men and women tend to see themselves trapped in this dance and dependent on their partner for release. However, either partner can unilaterally change the script at any time.

Both men and women tend to see themselves trapped in this dance and dependent on their partner for release. However, either partner can unilaterally change the script at any time.

Relationships

Why Men Can Get Defensive and Controlling in Arguments

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on December 26, 2023

New understandings can help couples break out of repetitive patterns of conflict in their relationships.

New understandings can help couples break out of repetitive patterns of conflict in their relationships.

Sex

'Why Is He So Focused on My Orgasm?'

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on December 3, 2023

Hint: It's not generosity.

Hint: It's not generosity.

Relationships

Breaking Out of Old Habits in Your Relationship

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on October 13, 2023

Feeling stuck? Here's how to break out of the polarizing roles that are suffocating the vitality of your relationship.

Feeling stuck? Here's how to break out of the polarizing roles that are suffocating the vitality of your relationship.

Parenting

Your Parents Didn’t Always Do the Best They Could

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on September 13, 2023

A Personal Perspective: No one always does their best.

A Personal Perspective: No one always does their best.

Gender

How Much Have Things Changed Between Men and Women?

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on July 22, 2023

While gender roles have changed significantly in the last 50 years, those changes have been more pronounced in the external world that in the private intimate lives of families.

While gender roles have changed significantly in the last 50 years, those changes have been more pronounced in the external world that in the private intimate lives of families.

Relationships

Why Some Men Withdraw When Women Get Emotional

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on June 22, 2023

Why do men sometimes withdraw when women become emotional?

Why do men sometimes withdraw when women become emotional?

Sex

Men’s Fears of Being Sexually Inadequate

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on June 4, 2023

Seeking intimacy requires men to be vulnerable in ways that may evoke fears.

Seeking intimacy requires men to be vulnerable in ways that may evoke fears.

Relationships

Stand by Your Man?

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on April 14, 2023

What women learn about men from their moms and how it influences their relationships.

What women learn about men from their moms and how it influences their relationships.

Relationships

Why Men Often Feel Insecure in Their Intimate Relationships

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on March 14, 2023

Men often worry about being inadequate and disappointing their partners.

Men often worry about being inadequate and disappointing their partners.

Caregiving

Why Men Criticize Women for Being “Needy”

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on February 22, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Men may take care of women to feel better about themselves.

A Personal Perspective: Men may take care of women to feel better about themselves.

Anxiety

Why Some Couples Play “Hot Potato” With Anxiety

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on February 6, 2023

Spreading the load helps men and women.

Spreading the load helps men and women.

Anxiety

Why Couples Disagree About What’s Safe

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on January 14, 2023

Couples often polarize around anxiety, with one partner falling into the role of the worrier and the other into the reassuring role.

Couples often polarize around anxiety, with one partner falling into the role of the worrier and the other into the reassuring role.

Mating

A Shrink’s Take on Dating

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on January 2, 2023

Dating should be fun, and the best strategy is to be yourself.

Dating should be fun, and the best strategy is to be yourself.

Career

Men Can Be Caretakers Too

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on December 21, 2022

Why do men often feel responsible for protecting and taking care of women?

Why do men often feel responsible for protecting and taking care of women?

Anxiety

Men’s Fears of Disappointing Their Partners

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on November 26, 2022

Men are so focused on not disappointing their partners that they neglect their own happiness.

Men are so focused on not disappointing their partners that they neglect their own happiness.

Marriage

Men Sometimes Avoid Marriage, But It Benefits Them More Than Women

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on October 9, 2022

Men think they won't marry but do. Women think they will marry but often don't.

Men think they won't marry but do. Women think they will marry but often don't.

Fear

Why Men Are Intimidated by Their Intimate Partners

Avrum Weiss, Ph.D. on September 22, 2022

A great paradox of men's lives is that they have all of the power but do not feel powerful.

A great paradox of men's lives is that they have all of the power but do not feel powerful.