home
Search the site:
search

Women and Bad Boys: What Is The Attraction?


"Bad Boys".

If you're a woman, you may be saying "hmmm" as you hear these words. You know you shouldn't, but you just can't help yourself.

There is just SOMETHING about these guys that draws you in, even as your head tells you to "beware"!

So, what exactly is the attraction? It's not necessarily that they are more physically attractive or smarter or more successful than the "nice guys". In fact, they can have fewer of these qualities, yet be harder to resist.

So what is it? Let's begin by defining these guys. This term is generally applied to males who treat women poorly. Do these behaviors ring a bell?

*calling at 8:30 on a Saturday night to ask if you want to get together

*not showing up for a date- followed by no phone call or apology

*never having any money when you are out

* forgetting or ignoring your birthday and other important dates

*flirting openly with other women when you are together

*hitting on your good friend(s)

*making booty calls at 1am, after they've had a night out with others

*is doing time for a serious felony

Instead of asking "what is it about these guys"; let's instead examine what it is about the women who can't resist them. The following are actual statements from women who have a history of attraction to these guys. See if any of these sound familiar.

* "It's never BORING with him. He's unpredictable and exciting."

* "He's strong, aggressive and self-assured; I feel safe with him."

* "It's not his fault; he's trying to get his life together."

* "I haven't met anyone else that makes me feel the way he does."

* "He's so charming and passionate."

* "He tells me how much he likes me, so he must really feel something for me."

* "He needs me."

* "He doesn't come across as needy and desperate."

* "I can't believe I've attracted someone like him."

Now, on the face of these, they seem pretty benign. We all seek at least some of these traits in the men we choose. So, where's the problem?

Essentially it's in his inability to meet the woman's fundamental needs. She is the one doing all (or most) of the giving. The question then lies in; "what's in it for her?"

The answer can be found by exploring three basic issues:

*level of self-esteem

*capacity for intimacy

*roles that she has been in throughout her life

If a woman feels good about herself, she chooses a mate who communicates both verbally and non-verbally to her that she is valued and respected. She won't allow this other person to undermine her positive self-worth. She believes in her ability to participate in a healthy, reciprocal relationship.

If she doesn't feel good about herself, she chooses someone who reinforces her negative self-beliefs.

If a woman is capable of true intimacy, she is open to the true availability of the other person. She wants him to be a full and active participant in the relationship. She can allow herself to be open, vulnerable and able to take as well as to receive all that true intimacy offers.

If intimacy is difficult, she choose someone who is distant, hard to connect with and not emotionally and/or physically available.

If a woman has had a healthy role in her relationships since childhood, she will choose someone with whom she can continue this healthy interaction.

If a woman has been too long in the role of rescuer, caregiver or the one who sacrifices for the good of others, this will probably be the role she will seek out in her relationships.

Fortunately, most women fall somewhere in between on these issues. So the task is to evaluate yourself in each area and decide on a course of action that will help you to choose a "nice guy", who stirs your senses and meets your needs while being truly available for a real relationship.

Begin with an assessment of what you value most in life and cannot live without.

Go to http://www.consum-mate.com/newslets/02oct.htm for an article on "clarifying and living your values".

Once you know what is most important to you and believe that you are worthy of achieving it, you will have taken a giant step towards finding the right partner for you.

Toni Coleman, MSW is a licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach with over 20 years of experience. As a recognized expert, Toni has been quoted in many local and national publications including: The Chicago Tribune and The Orlando Sentinel newspapers and Family Circle, Woman's Day, and Star magazines. She has been featured on ABC News; Discovery Health Channel and AOL Online. As a weekly contributing commentator on the KTRS Radio Morning Show, (St. Louis, MO), Toni offers dating tips and relationship advice in response to listener feedback. Toni founded Consum-mate.com in 2002 to offer singles the knowledge and tools they need to find and sustain healthy, lasting love relationships. She is a member of The International Coach Federation, and The International Association Of Coaches.


MORE RESOURCES:

KATU

Girl Hurt on Wisconsin Dells Free Fall Attraction
89.7 WUWM - Milwaukee Public Radio
An amusement attraction at Wisconsin Dells has been closed after a 12-year-old girl was seriously injured. The girl was on the Terminal ...
12-year-old girl injured on Wis. 'free fall' rideThe Associated Press
12-year-old girl 'severely injured' on Wisconsin Dells thrill rideBeaver Dam Daily Citizen
Girl hurt in bungee jump accident in Wisconsin DellsFOX6Now.com Milwaukee

all 337 news articles »


RIA Novosti

Royal attractions boost British tourism
AFP
LONDON — Tourist attractions linked to Britain's royal family generate over £500 million (600 million euros, 780 million dollars) a year in spending by ...
Royal attractions boost tourismThe Press Association
Monarchy mania earns king's ransomStuff.co.nz
Royal attractions in big boost to British tourismSydney Morning Herald

all 77 news articles »


Top attractions in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Helium
The core zone within George Town covers an area of just over 109 hectares and within this there are many, many attractions for visitors to see. ...

and more »


Tesh to kick off Thalian attractions series
WECT-TV6
All Music Guide (A Rainbow Room Attraction, four sets, Friday thru Sunday, table seating, limited capacity.) www.susanwerner.com Released last year, ...

and more »


Historic village owner seeks input from public
Baxter Bulletin
Roy Danuser, Bull Shoals attorney and developer, relocated the buildings to become a Bull Shoals attraction and for preservation of the buildings. ...

and more »


State Recommendation: Don't Allow Safari Wild in Green Swamp
The Ledger
LAKELAND | A state hearing officer has recommended that Polk County's development order allowing the Safari Wild animal attraction in the ...
Deny Safari Wild, judge saysThe Ledger (blog)
Judge: Polk violated own land code in approving Safari WildTbo.com

all 5 news articles »


Indian Express

Fatal Attraction
Hindustan Times
Seems like no film's shooting is complete without at least one memorable incident. And a considerable number of times, it's an accident that makes it even ...
Salman Khan's Dabang to be released on Sep 10ABCNews.in (blog)

all 79 news articles »


Rail tourist attraction idea gets rolling
reddeeradvocate.com
A proposed major tourist attraction focused on the railways and ground transportation is gathering some steam in Red ...



Los Angeles Times

Ethiopia hyenas: Not biting the hand that feeds them
Los Angeles Times
Youseff Mume Saleh's nightly feeding ritual, a tradition in his town of Harar, has become an attraction for tourists. Youseff Mume Saleh of Harar, Ethiopia, ...

and more »


Metro

Chill out this summer by visiting Universal & Disney's winter-themed attractions
Jim Hill Media.com
Which is Blizzard Beach's "lazy river" attraction. This slow-moving, 3000 foot-long attraction will give you ample opportunities to lay back and relax. ...
Wizarding World: Falling under Harry Potter's spellMetro
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter?ABC Action News

all 4 news articles »

Google News