Thank heaven for little girls for without them, what would little boys do?
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There’s no shortage of advice from women for men on how to conduct themselves in a relationship. But these gems from two young girls—ages 6 and 9—let us in on what really matters.
My favorites are 5—good “maners” (an unintentional pun); 13—don’t pick your nose; and 19—always happy.
Clearly, these two little ones have been brought up in a home that values the important things in life, and boys and men alike can learn a lot from their list.
1. nice hand writing
2. cutness
3. likes parents
4. not living with parents
5. good maners
6. good artist
7. dresses well
8. takes you to nice places
9. nice place
10. likes children/wants children
11. nice jewlery
12. listens
13. don’t pick your nose
14. no kissing on first date
15. marry some one who respects you
16. smart
17. good cook
18. has a good job
19. always happy
20. clean
21. respect diffrent religens
22. last name not weird
23. very fun
24. makes you laugh
25. eats healthy
26. takes care of body
27. doesn’t tatle tale
28. brushes teeth and floss
29. likes YOUR job
30. take care of pet
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H/t: Huffington Post
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Photo Courtesy: Gabrielle Daniels
Little boys are whining that this list is unrealistic and “high expectations”. I’m done lol. Straight American males are just too ridiculously uncivilized, slobbish, lousy and entitled to their own mediocrity. They would never accept this from women. Things that are essential: 5. Good manners 7. Dresses well 12. Listens 16. Smart 17. Good cook 18. Has a good job (a job he likes, unless he wants to be a househusband, that’s okay with me as well) 20. Clean 25. Eats healthy 26. Takes care of body 27. Brushes teeth and floss 19. Likes your job (or at least doesn’t… Read more »
Which begs the question, where to find girls (or women) who apply the same rules to themselves?
This is beautiful.
The interesting thing here is that I was fully prepared to find those girls extremely conservative (as I suspect most children to be by default), but it turned out not to be like that at all — at least mostly. You might conceivably take 8. takes you to nice places 9. nice place 11. nice jewlery 18. has a good job to mean that a man is expected to be wealthy and providing. Although I admit that I have no idea if girls of that age by “good job” mean CEO or something like chocolate sommelier or video game tester.… Read more »
8. Does not mean she would not take him to nice places as well, or that he has to pay.
9. Again, the same as 8, I guess?
11. Maybe she meant HE has to wear nice jewlery? If not, maybe she would also buy nice things for him as well?
18. Isn’t that a good thing? A good job can be a job you enjoy. The same goes for them; they should get a good job they enjoy, and I guess most open-minded boys would like their gf to have good jobs as well.
Jose, I agree that the piece is remarkably egalitarian. Thanks for your observations.
It SADDENS me little bit that these girls already have high expectation on opposite sex at such a young age. Is it because media(movies, tvshows, books) have shown little girls what a “boyfriend” really should be at a young age? Is school teaching them this? Or the parents?? I think it’s super important to not tell kids exactly what a good man looks like..since they come in different shape and sizes and the perfect man with be perfect to that individual. So if the answers are yes, then, why are parents and media pressing on girls to expect the greatest… Read more »
Valentyna, I think at a young age we often have high expectations–dreams of a wonderful, dreamy life with a princess or a prince. What charmed me about this list was its honesty, the lack of materialism (aside from the nice jewelry and going out for nice meals, and note these are “nice” and not “expensive”), and the theme of self-respect (eats healthy, takes care of body, brushes teeth and floss). I don’t mind that women hold men to standards such as these, while I would have found desires for wealth, power, and supreme athleticism both judgmental and objectionable. I also… Read more »
Yeah, that’s a great looking at it!! Thank you 🙂 You’re giving me hope !!!
Why would I feel lesser to know what women want? Why would the thoughts of children hurt me? My confidence comes from within, not what children say. Although, it is quite obvious that these girls have some common sense. Lots of good stuff here. I WOULD SAY there is some programming here because they don’t mention the strength and confidence that women are attracted to. What would happen if this site put up what boys would like? Probably get flamed for making girls feel insecure. What we have here is a fun guy with a good job that is good… Read more »
Steve, You make the excellent point that it’s important to know what a potential partner is looking for in a mate in response to Valentyna’s sensitivity to the issue of how a list of “desirable traits” might make a man feel. If boys put pretty or heaven forbid “skinny” on a similar list, they would be flamed and charred, but would it be unreasonable—or poorly received—if a boy said he wanted his girlfriend to have a good job, take him out to nice dinners, and maintain her health and appearance? Underlying the fun guy with a good job who is… Read more »
They’ll realize when they’re older that they’re gonna have to overlook about 28 of those things.
Heather, I hope nose picking is one of the two they won’t have to overlook 🙂
At least number 19. I hope we are not demanding that a good man is one who always hides his unhappiness.
Talk about high expectations!
Jake, Indeed! We have our work cut out for us.
Really? At least 20 of the list are entirely within our control and pretty reasonable.