It's a common occurrence for women where one moment everything appears to be fine, but the next moment their partner is giving them the silent treatment from hell.
The problem is that most of the time, the women may not even understand the reason for the sudden cut-off.
Keep reading to learn about 10 reasons why guys resort to giving the silent treatment, and ways to resolve it.
WHY DO GUYS GIVE THE SILENT TREATMENT
There are numerous reasons why guys give the silent treatment, but below are 10 of the most frequent ones:
1. It's The Manly Thing To Do (Rather Than Talk About His Emotions)
Surprisingly, one of the most prevalent reasons why guys give the silent treatment is because they believe it to be a macho thing to do.
In cases where a man feels he cannot express his deeper emotions or feelings in a conversation, he may opt for the silent treatment instead of opening up.
2. As A Way Of Prolonging Feelings Of Defeat (When Not Winning An Argument)
While some men are comfortable discussing their emotions, others may shy away from a conversation due to the fear of losing an argument.
If your partner does not like to be defeated in an argument, he may choose to give you the silent treatment instead of engaging in the argument and accepting defeat.
Juvenile? Yes, it certainly is! However, it's a reality that some guys struggle with losing.
3. It's A Clever Way To Not Feel Disappointed (From Their Partner)
Similar to the feeling of defeat, many guys do not want to feel like their partner is disappointed in them. This could be due to incidents at work, at home, or elsewhere.
If your partner fears that discussing certain topics might result in expressing negative feelings towards him, it's not uncommon for him to resort to the silent treatment.
4. As A Means Of Control Or Power (Over Their Partner)
However, some men use the silent treatment as a weapon and exhibit immaturity. They need to seek professional help and work on themselves.
If you are in a relationship with someone who uses the silent treatment in this manner, be cautious.
They might use it as a form of punishment for perceived wrongdoings, as a means of exerting control, or simply to mentally torment you.
5. As A Nonphysical Attack (Mental Abuse)
Numbers 5 and 4 on this list are related, but they aren't exactly identical. While some men use the silent treatment as a means of gaining and maintaining control over you, others simply use it to cause you pain.
This type of person is likely to employ the silent treatment as a form of non-physical abuse and may do so on a regular basis.
Furthermore, if someone is capable of using the silent treatment as a form of abuse, it may be indicative of even more severe mental abuse to come.
6. He Has No Idea How To Communicate (On Her Level)
In some cases, a person may use the silent treatment as a defense mechanism if they feel unsure of how to communicate with you.
For instance, if a man likes you and feels put on the spot when you approach him with a question, he may choose to remain silent rather than risk saying the wrong thing.
To prevent this, allow your partner to initiate conversations and guide the conversation as it progresses. This will help them feel comfortable communicating with you.
7. He Feels Unimportant And Wants Attention (Reverse Psychology)
Some men use the silent treatment as a form of reverse psychology.
When they feel unimportant or insecure, they might stop communicating with you entirely in an attempt to get your attention.
The goal is for you to come to them seeking their attention, through begging and pleading.
8. He Is Afraid Of His Own Temper (And Thinks He's Protecting Her)
If you are in a relationship with a man who has a short fuse, the silent treatment might be his way of avoiding lashing out at you.
He may believe that by giving you the silent treatment, he is protecting you from his own outbursts, be they physical or verbal.
In these situations, the best thing to do is to understand what's happening and give him time to calm down.
9. As An Attempt To Not Appear Like The "Bad Buy" (In Front Of Her And Others)
Just like men who have a quick temper and try to protect their partners by giving them the silent treatment, some men use it to avoid being perceived as the "bad guy."
These men might resort to the silent treatment in any situation where a conversation threatens to paint them in a negative light, whether they are alone or with friends, co-workers, or family.
10. He Is In Shock Or Confusion (He's Processings/Internalizing Things)
Sometimes, life throws unexpected events at people, and a man's reaction to being caught off guard could be to give you the silent treatment.
However, once he has processed the shock or confusion, he will likely end the silent treatment.
If he is not usually the "strong silent type," he may end up giving you the "reverse silent treatment," or an earful, after he has processed his thoughts.
TIPS TO OPEN HIM UP AGAIN
Here are a few tips to help you get him to start talking:
- Give him the space he needs or wants
- Let him know that his thoughts and opinions are important to you
- Allow him time to think, don't rush the process
- Give him as much time as he needs
- Only apologize if you are sincere
- Continue to communicate openly and ask questions
- Be there for him even if he is not talking
- Don't make assumptions and wait for him to speak for himself
FAQ
What Is The Silent Treatment, And Why Do Guys Give It?
The silent treatment refers to when someone suddenly stops communicating with someone else and refuses to talk on any level. This often occurs as a result of an incident between the two parties.
How Should I React To The Silent Treatment?
When faced with the silent treatment, there are several factors to consider, such as who is giving it to you and why, whether the treatment is deserved or not, and if the person giving it is in a sound mind or being cruel. It is important to not take it personally unless it is intended as such.
How Does The Silent Treatment Affect People?
The silent treatment can have negative emotional effects, such as making people feel sad, unimportant, avoided, disliked, and even disconnected. In the case of long-term silent treatment, it may lead to a feeling of disconnection over time.
