A relationship works on respect and trust. Being the foundation of a healthy and happy bond, they have the power to make or break the relationship. The relationship takes a bad turn when one person begins to condemn or belittle the other partner
Know everything about belittling in the relationship and what to do when your partner belittles you.
What is belittling behavior in a relationship?
There is no one answer to this question, as what might be considered belittling in a relationship could be seen as a compliment in another.
However, generally speaking, belittling in a relationship is any action or statement that diminishes the worth of someone else.
So, what does it mean when your partner belittles you? This could be direct and obvious (for example, telling your partner that they are overweight) or indirect and subtle (for example, making belittling comments that suggest you do not value their opinions).
Belittling in a relationship can be targeted at a wide range of aspects of a partner’s life. Some belittling comments examples can be an individual might make fun of their partner’s appearance, intelligence, character, or personal habits. In addition, a partner might use belittling behavior to try to gain the upper hand in the relationship or reduce their partner’s confidence.
Why does your partner belittle you?
No one deserves to be belittled by their partner. It can be a deeply damaging experience, both emotionally and physically.
Here are a few reasons why your partner belittles you:
1. Your partner may not like to admit that they need help or advice from you
They may feel threatened or uncomfortable asking for your assistance. This can lead them to avoid talking to you altogether, which can lead to problems in other areas of their lives.
2. Childhood trauma
They may have been hurt by someone in their childhood and don’t want to feel vulnerable by opening up to you. They may assume that you’re only going to hurt them, so they stay silent instead. This can be very isolating, especially if they’ve been hurt for a long time.
3. Fear of losing
Do you feel, “My partner is always correcting me?” They may be afraid that you won’t love them anymore if they let you into their vulnerability. Many couples have trouble trusting each other completely, which can cause problems in the long run.
4. Internal insecurities
They may have some insecurities that prevent them from opening up to you or blaming you. This could include worries about body image, sexuality, career prospects, or family issues. They may fear being judged for these things and not want to share those concerns with you for fear of rejection.
Check out this video that talks about why feeling insecure in a relationship is natural (up to a point), why relationship insecurity happens, and what to do if you can’t stop feeling insecure in your relationships:
5. Assuming you don’t respect them
They may think you don’t respect them if you disagree with them, which stops them from sharing their ideas with you. Even if they trust you, they may feel that it’s important to have their say when it comes to important topics.
6. Feeling of insufficiency in self
They may feel like they have nothing to offer to you and therefore have no reason to share with you. They may think that you’re better off without them because they’re not as good as you think they are.
How do you deal with a belittling partner?
If you are in a relationship with someone who constantly belittles you, it can be really tough to cope. It can feel like they are trying to take away your self-confidence and make you feel small. So what to do when your partner belittles you? Here are some ideas:
1. Take Back Your Power
If you feel insecure in your relationship or are worried about being treated badly, start by changing your own attitude. Stop focusing on your partner’s negative behavior and start thinking about what you can do to improve yourself. Try to be more assertive and try to assert yourself more in your relationship.
2. Confront the Problem
When you feel attacked or hurt by your partner or any demeaning behavior in a relationship, try to talk to them about it. Don’t just ignore it and hope that it will go away. This will only cause resentment and may lead your partner to continue to treat you poorly.
3. Seek Help
If you feel like you can’t resolve the situation on your own, talk to a friend or family member. They can help you to work through the problem and give you the support you need. Remember that you are never alone and there is always help available if you need it.
Remember, there is no perfect relationship. If you and your partner are having difficulties, try to work together to come up with a solution. A positive outlook and lots of love will go a long way towards making your relationship work.
