Search Results: can men really change

As someone who been into the arts for a very long time, watching art sites that are still active, and looking at art trend, from 90s to today, I notice a slow shift toward diverse representation of what is beautiful, and appealing. Previously, there were idea that really thin ladies are attractive, but now that's not as popular as women who are of normal weight. For most of 90s and 2000s, what is dominant is the representation of white women to symbolize beauty, but that's changing toward more inclusive and diverse representation as in non-white people are beautiful, and even men's bodies are more out there too. So, I can see 2030s and beyond becoming the era of diversity in arts after a massive cultural shift happens.

Personally, I find every demographics beautiful, in and out visually, and I'm an asexual heteroromantic man. But, I do wonder how far are we when it comes to appreciation of beauty in both men and women, and in ethnicity. I don't think appreciation of beauty in bodies (clothed or not) has to do with either romanticism or sexuality, and that's not the case with me.

I was always told this growing up. I used to believe women understand men better then vice versa. But not anymore.

I believe women understood men better in earlier times out of necessity. They used to depend more on men to provide and protect them. It was important for them to understand men they wanted to get in a relationship with vs. those to avoid.

But in modern times women seem far less concerned about understanding men. Not that I expect them to naturally understand that. But one thing they seem to struggle with is understanding the difference between likeability / attraction vs. respect. Men actually crave respect more then they crave sex, intimacy, etc.

It’s possible to still respect someone even think you don’t like them. It’s about understanding their situation and what they have to deal with. And truly men generally understand this concept far better then women do.

One example is when I broke up with my ex girlfriend. At that point I was no longer attracted her at all. Can’t say I liked her much either. But I still respected her. I knew about her struggles and dreams. That’s why I gave her the respect of sitting down and breaking up face to face. Endured 2 hours of hell (screaming, crying, etc.).

But I don’t regret it. I didn’t fixate on her flaws and chastise her over grudges and things I didn’t like about her to self justify my decision (I’ve had women do that to me when I was dumped). I had enough respect for her that would just add insult to injury.