Why do guys go silent during an argument?

[Anonymous]

I've been dating my boyfriend for almost a year and we have a great relationship overall. He's a great guy but there's thing he does that I don't like... Whenever we argue, after a while, he goes completely silent, either for a couple of hours or sometimes for the rest of the day.

At first I would try to reach him but it was impossible. After he came back to me, we'd solve our problem and I would bring this up. I would tell him how hurt I feel whenever he does this. He said he would try to change it but if anything he only gives very short answers here and there and then goes silent again.

He's a very supportive guy, very loving and we rarely argue (on average, maybe once or twice a month max) and we never raise our voice or insult each other, but like I said, it hurts when this happens so guys, I need your opinion on this. Why does it happen? Is there a way to avoid it? Thank you!

[Truly-Unique]

He MIGHT be taking the road of not saying any more because he wants to argument to end, but doesn't necessarily agree with your point of view. One thing to be careful of with that is that, after time, it builds resentment, and a feeling in him that "he always has to do this", even though it's a choice he's making.

You're on the right track by communicating how it makes you feel when he chooses to do this...
What does he say if you ask "Why do you go silent during arguments? Why do you do that?" and maybe "Do you feel sometimes like no matter what you say, I won't listen" (not that you won't, I'm sure you would, but this might be how it's starting to FEEL for him, so worth asking :)
Let me know how you go.

[aficionado]

Well... if one of the two doesn't concede defeat during an argument, it would jeopardize the relationship. And its MUCH harder for a guy to get a girlfriend, than a for a girl to get a boyfriend. Hence guys end the argument to save their relationship. They know that if the relationship ends, they're going to have a hard time finding another girl.

[JustinX]

because girls are always right in an argument... so we boys stay silent no matter how we explain we always lose