Why is it women usually worry about the ‘label’ of a relationship whereas men don’t mind just calling it ‘dating’ and move on?

[muscularbumblebee]

By this I mean I’ve noticed women are a lot more likely to want to know if it’s definitely a relationship, whether long term or casual or serious etc. Guys may just say oh I’m dating a girl but don’t necessarily want to put a label to it? Or is it just the people I know. Obviously not everyone fits this stereotype not all guys. And this includes guys who may prefer serious relationships too

[coldmarch]

I think the reason is the education genders receive. Females are educated to not have great ambitions and to experiment stuff, to risk etc, but rather, to be supportive efficient sponges and to adhere to some social etiquette, with greater side effects if not matched, than guys. So, they play more on the passive side of the society, plus are not as repressed are males regarding expressing their emotions (bad ones too), which means they are encouraged to be more introspective and also more experienced in what's inside their head (emotions) instead of guys, who very often are very clueless about their own mind and let alone the other's, but would focus on keeping doing experiences, challenges, experimenting stuff etc. Let's say males "live cluelessly", females "understand from behind a glass", somehow.
Given that, it's easy to see how females have a clear idea about what to picture in their future, because of learning limited options and because of being more experienced about psychology. Further, a desired role as a housewife is anyway a very scripted role with limited tasks and no space for "upgrade" or innovation but rather it opens for a "safe routine", so, picturing this type of future vision is also quite standard and it's easy to shape, making it easy to picture at the beginning of any relationship.
Guys are educated to be the opposite, are used to be encouraged to experiment, risk and win, and are conscious of the range of chances they can aim to, so their future, desired as "not househusbands" is not written on stone but offers a lot of variety, plus, being less experiened with emotions because repressed by sexism in the society, makes them not as keen to settle and to picture a scripted future as a woman is.
In addition, and as a result of this separated education, women generally seek for "safety/responsibilities" while men seek for "freedom/power", so females might tend to look for reassurements and relax in a relationship rather than an adventure, which means also putting a label, a ring, a status on social media, or anything symbolic on it. If anything, what I notice, for similar reasons, is also that in a context of friendships/colleagues, women tend, a lot more, to make sides and have a dualistic vision of who is an ally or an enemy, and to see threats, trying to avoid any chance of direct conflicts (such as not saying direct "no" to something, etc). In my opinion this is coherent with the rest.
I speak from the point of view of a woman who is the opposite of this trend and who is scared to be trapped in a relationship, who understands way better the male side than the female's, on this regard (and I was educated like a guy since my early childhood).

[muscularbumblebee]

Interesting perspective. Thanks for the thoughtful answer

[DizzyDesii]

Labels mean we have decided what we are. Anyone not willing to label it comes across as indecisive to me. Such a turnoff. I need someone set in stone who knows what they want just like i do. I need to be able to take them seriously

[Losalt]

You'll get less of this in more equal societies.
I think it reflects on the fact that in many societies women ends up with the responsibility of a child of she does get pregnant, and the societal stigma of her culture is conservative.
So the labels are kind of a way to ask if he'll have her back if there's any issues.
Not consciously of course, but you end up with that societal norm after a while.
While if the majority of women feel confident that they can take on any issues that might arise with or without his help because their society enables them to do so they'll be less likely to care as much.

At least that's my guess.

As for reality, I *know* that girls don't care much about labels here in the nordic countries.
And I've found it incredibly frustrating to deal with the label obsession of girls in other cultures.
It honestly just leads to more stress for all parties involved, and to us guys being less interested in actually being together with her to begin with...

[Losalt]

"if" not "of" bloody phone...

[Lionman95]

Because men and women evaluate a possible candidate for a relationship at different stages of the process.
Women choose their candidate before they date him while guys date women to choose a partner.
Therefore guys make their choice later because oftentimes guys don't get to go out with every women they ask out.
Women on the other hand have to make at least a first choice earlier to decide for their own safety which guy they feel safe around.
So I don't think it's worrying it's rather natural.

[JamesDiaz11]

Because women have a shorter window by which to figure out their relationships. A guy can casually date through his 20's, and 30's, but if a girl does this there is a HIGH probability that she won't be able to have children- and a good chance she won't get married at all (as men aren't lining up to date the 35+ yo women. So, women know they're on a time crunch, and generally have affinity for stability in this area.

[TallAnon]

Because as long as we're both happy and we get what we need out of the relationship, that's all that matters to (most of) us. That usually includes sex.
For women, I think that still has the whole "I don't want to be seen as a slut" thinking attached to it. So to be in a position where you regularly have sex with a man and to not be seen as a slut.. I suppose women want to label it as something in particular and make it more official.

[DizzyDesii]

You can sex someone repeatedly and not be a hoe. You’d just be fck buddies which is still sorta low value but at least its a label

[TallAnon]

To be fair, nothing wrong with being a slut in my opinion. Just stay healthy.

[DizzyDesii]

I disagree but yea it would be nice if anyone was smart enough to get tested before sleeping together

[TallAnon]

I definitely did

[DizzyDesii]

Same

[Ray1980]

Woman are programmed to seek commitment & men are programmed to spread their seed far & wide. Times may change but biology not as quickly.

[Anonymous]

Because committed relationships are more important and beneficial to women than men. That's why men are the gatekeepers to relationships and women are the gatekeepers to sex.

[DevinAM]

I for one want it to be a long term relationship when dating but I've never been the one to say it's a relationship until the other person does.

Fear of rejection I guess.

[SignedAutographs]

Dating is supposed to infer that you're not exclusive. Relationship, does

[bamesjond0069]

Because women want to know if there is a future. Men dont care either way much.

[motownplayer2000]

Good question for women only