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How to be an Understanding Boyfriend: 10 Ways

What does it mean to be an understanding boyfriend? Being understanding means empathizing with your partner’s emotions, thoughts, and experiences and making an effort to communicate with and relate to them effectively. It involves listening, respecting differences, and valuing their perspective. Here are 10 ways to be an understanding boyfriend and what it means to be one:

1. Listen to Your Girlfriend.

An understanding boyfriend listens to his partner when she is talking. Give her your full attention and try to see things from her perspective. Even if you think you’re right, acknowledge her opinions and thoughts, and make her feel included in your life.

2. Don’t Pressure her for Sex.

Being an understanding boyfriend requires a high level of self-discipline. Anyone can say, “I love you,” but not everyone can wait to prove it. If you ask a woman out and she says she’s not ready for sex, an understanding boyfriend will give her time.

An understanding boyfriend does not force his partner into sex when she’s not in the mood. For example, if your girlfriend says she’s not in the mood to have sex, honor her wishes rather than getting angry or upset. Don’t be selfish—try to understand her. She could be tired at that moment.

3. Respect her Decisions and Boundaries.

Respect your partner’s boundaries and decisions. If she doesn’t like it when you flirt with other girls, respect that boundary and stick to it. This doesn’t mean you should bow to all of her demands or tolerate mistreatment, but you should respect her feelings and decisions to avoid hurting the relationship. An understanding boyfriend respects his partner and never invades her privacy.

4. You Don’t Restrict their Freedom.

An understanding boyfriend knows that a relationship isn’t a prison and therefore doesn’t restrict his girlfriend’s freedom to associate with family and friends. He allows her to have friends, have fun, hang out, and be happy outside the relationship.

To them, having friends and being social doesn’t equate to cheating. In a relationship, trust is essential, and that’s what an understanding boyfriend offers—complete trust. He can allow his girlfriend to have male friends and mingle with others.

5. They Are Quick to Reconcile After an Argument.

An understanding boyfriend will call you back after an argument and say, “Okay, babe, I’m sorry; let’s fix this.” He never tires of apologizing, even when he isn’t at fault. While some guys might go silent after an argument, an understanding boyfriend communicates his feelings and tries to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

He understands that communication is key in any relationship and will never deprive you of that. To be an understanding boyfriend, know that fights and arguments are normal, but your ability to resolve them quickly strengthens the relationship. An understanding boyfriend doesn’t wait for you to call or text first.

6. Patience.

Patience is a hallmark of an understanding boyfriend. He sees your good and bad sides yet chooses to stay in your life. If your man remains gentle, cool, and calm even when provoked, you are likely dating an understanding boyfriend.

He knows that arguing or raising his voice will only make things worse, so he stays patient with you. If you tell him you’d like to get married in the next five years, an understanding boyfriend will reply with, “I will wait for you.”

7. They Love You for Who You Are.

An understanding boyfriend loves you for who you are. Whether you’re rich, poor, skinny, or curvy, he doesn’t care—all he wants is you. He will never compare you with other girls because he understands that no one is perfect. He will correct you, but he won’t use your past against you. This type of boyfriend is rare.

8. Generous.

An understanding boyfriend is generous and gives without expecting anything in return. He could assist his girlfriend with chores, finances, spiritual matters, academics, and other life issues out of love, not because he expects something in return.

9. Respect for Virginity and Marriage.

An understanding boyfriend will honor his girlfriend’s decision to remain a virgin until marriage. He is willing to wait until she is ready. Although sex may be important in a relationship, she is more important to him. He is willing to wait for their wedding night.

10. Forgives a Cheating Girlfriend.

An understanding boyfriend sees cheating as a mistake. Despite the hurt, he may choose to forgive, forget, and give his girlfriend another chance. An understanding boyfriend prioritizes love over “wife material” qualities. Even if you tell him you’re in a relationship, he may still be willing to be your second boyfriend, focusing more on love than on other qualities.

Is it Good to be an Understanding Boyfriend?

Why not? You can choose to be an understanding boyfriend, provided she’s an understanding girlfriend too, because what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Nevertheless, being an understanding boyfriend can sometimes lead to women taking you for granted, so it’s important to balance understanding with self-respect.