How to Handle a Male Chauvinist Husband : 25 Ways

Many people in the dating world have run into their share of chauvinist partners. Some have gone on to marry the people. 

That’s generally due to the fact that it’s become second nature to internalize the sexism promoted by society. Often when a significant other carries these views, the signs can slip past the radar. 

With the chauvinism encountered regularly, many don’t notice it. It’s especially true when you’re dating or have married someone. You want to believe the best in a partner, always giving the benefit of the doubt. Eventually, you need to call it what it is and find how to handle a male chauvinist husband.

What is a male chauvinist husband

A male chauvinist husband is one who believes that men are in some way superior to women. The person has nothing to substantiate this feeling, no reliable evidence or proof. But the spouse will do and say things indicating where he feels the mate’s place is within the household and outside the home.

Behaviors that are okay for the husband are not so for their significant other. For instance, if he chooses to flirt at a party, that should be tolerated without jealousy, but the same is not true for his spouse. 

Characteristics of a male chauvinist husband

Some husbands carry stereotypical chauvinistic mindsets based on how they were raised and cultural influence. There is always a need to hold the superior position with a fight to take the upper hand with all that he does. 

A husband can’t bear for his partner to have a thriving career or show ambition. It reacts in narcissism, ultimately resulting in their lashing out due to their inferiority complex coming into play. Look into the book “Memoirs of A Male Chauvinist Pig” Angus & Robertson.

How do you know if a man is a chauvinist

Most men present their best selves when in the beginning stages of dating with little likelihood of showing characteristics of a male chauvinist. Instead, they do so in subtle ways that are easy for mates to miss at first when caught up in the romance and excitement.

In some cases, a man might not even believe he’s being chauvinistic but, instead, feel he’s caring and protective, except they’re not comfortable when a partner earns more than them. Some red flags that a man might be leaning towards male chauvinist traits:

1. He orders for you without checking what you’d like
2. He wants to know about your parenting aspirations but not career goals.
3. The first date is full of pet names like babe, honey, sweetie.
4. Referring to ex’s starts a name–calling tirade.
5. He has a “philosophy” regarding women and decisions.

Related Reading: 20 Signs Your Boyfriend or Husband Is a Misogynist and How to Deal With It

10 signs you have a chauvinistic husband

When you consider what is male chauvinism, men don’t always display the behavior upfront and center, especially if you’re newly married. Once things have become familiar and comfortable, there’s a feeling the guards can be let down and share more openly rather than the subtle hints he’s been displaying. 

How can you spot a male chauvinistic attitude before getting too far in the relationship? Here’s some research to offer details on the subject. Let’s look at some signs of a male chauvinist to be mindful of.

1. You’re constantly interrupted in conversations

You listen patiently to his conversation, but when it’s your turn, he always finds a reason to interrupt as though your experiences and thoughts are irrelevant.

Related Reading: 10 Effective Communication Skills in Relationships for Healthy Marriages

2. He’s continually validating himself as a nice guy

If he is complaining that he’s a nice guy and that many mates are not appreciative when they have a good thing that treats them well, that can be toxic. Continuing to announce it doesn’t mean you’re nice.

3. Periods are fodder for his humor

Using PMS as a reason women must be in bad humor is not funny and makes the guy look like a big horse’s butt. 

4. Earning more than him bothers him

While he supports your career, he places a great deal of importance on gender roles, so when he finds out you’re earning more, it doesn’t make him happy.

5. “Benevolent Sexists”

This male chauvinist example is a man who will rush to help, but their help comes across as more degrading to their mate than genuine willingness to care for a problem.

6. Mansplaining

Explaining things to a partner in a “mansplaining” context is simply another way of showing power and further degrading a mate, acting as though they can’t comprehend logistics.

Check out this video on what is mansplaining and how it can be bad:

7. Compliments are reserved for looks

Instead of complimenting abilities with hobbies, interests, skills, or even careers, the chauvinist will concentrate on the way you look.

8. He doesn’t like your male friends

He could be jealous, but it’s most often sexist in that he’s afraid that you’ll chat with one of your friends or that one of them will steal you away from him.

9. He has a set of ideas concerning what denotes a real woman

If you want children, he will find that you’re the epitome of a real woman. If you have friends who choose not to get married, they don’t fall under the category. 

10. If you want to discuss females’ role in society today, he has no interest

There’s no desire on his part to discuss feminism or issues being faced by women in society today.

25 ways to handle a male chauvinist husband

When trying to discern how to deal with a male chauvinist husband, challenging a chauvinist’s beliefs and behavior can sometimes make the person anxious. 

But have a discussion about improvements they could make to help you figure out how to deal with a male chauvinist. The attached podcasts will give you pointers on dealing with male chauvinism.

1. Discuss your feelings openly and vulnerably

The first step in how to handle a male chauvinist husband is discussing your feelings openly. If your mate asks how your day was, give an account instead of saying fine. Respond, but then listen and hold a decent conversation.

Related Reading:  16 Powerful Benefits of Vulnerability in Relationships

2. Avoid interruptions

One thing to work on when it comes to male chauvinist meaning is the fact they interrupt their mate in the middle of their sharing a story. It’s essential to express how this makes you feel and try to get the behavior to stop. It’s demeaning and degrading and shows little respect for your experiences and good news.

3. Let your husband know he doesn’t need to solve all your problems

Generally, when sharing issues with a spouse, whether it be crises at work, friends, or family problems, mates just want a shoulder. Still, often a spouse is ready on the get to come up with solutions in an effort to show support. 

These usually go above and beyond the call when all that is really needed is an understanding ear. However, if someone is ugly to the mate, it should be okay for a husband to be rude back.

4. Help when she feels helpless but not when she genuinely could use it

Mates have a tough time finding how to handle a male chauvinist husband who “rescues” them from chores that are too challenging and where they might hurt themselves. 

That’s often not the case and can end up making the partner feel degraded. There are plenty of chores that can use extra hands, like ones she isn’t fond of; perhaps if you have a dialogue, the pattern will switch.

5. Be kind to her friends

Whether male or female, there needs to be a mutual understanding about your spouse’s friends, especially if you have trust in your mate. These are her friends, and you want to fit in with them for that reason.

Also try: How Much Do You Trust Your Spouse?

6. If something exciting happens in his life, he should explain his excitement.

A partner should not be kept in the outside loop despite a husband’s feeling of superiority. He needs to share the positive moments and the negative, especially in a marriage.

Also Try: Is My Husband a Narcissist or Just Selfish?

7. Compliments outside of superficial

Make sure your chauvinist husband realizes you need compliments that don’t rest on looks but, instead, accomplishments. It might not relate to your career, but there are plenty of other kudos you can receive, like interests or hobbies.

Related Reading: 10 Things to Do if You Feeling Unappreciated in a Relationship

8. Encourage your husband to write his grievances before having a conflict

When finding how to handle a male chauvinist husband, you’ll notice conflicts can often be volatile. Encouraging him to write down why he’s upset might diffuse some of what’s bothering them.

9. Decisions should be mutual

If you’re out to dinner and your spouse specifically asks you to order for them, that’s one thing. Still, when you take that upon yourself, it’s clearly the male chauvinistic definition. 

Unless a partner asks you to make household decisions solely, they should all be mutual. If he orders, you can make your order when he’s through. There’ll just be a lot of food.

Also Try: Your Level Of Codependency On Your Partner Quiz

10. The energy a chauvinist brings home impacts the household

The method for how to handle a male chauvinist husband is to have them excuse themselves for some quiet reprieve until the mood passes. No one needs to be exposed to the attitude or stress associated with irritability.

11. When your husband takes you to an event, you request that he acknowledge an attribute or accomplishment

It might be a challenge for a male chauvinist, but being one of your loyalists for one night shouldn’t break him. It might be hard hearing people gushing over you, but it’s one evening, and he’s trying to improve.

12. Imbalances in household labor

The mental work behind all that goes into operating a household is generally thrust on one person and is typically not recognized or appreciated. It’s essential to ensure that the male chauvinist carries his share of the load, so it doesn’t become overwhelming. 

There needs to be an even balance with you being able to rely on him when it counts as a source of support.

Related Reading: How to Divide Household Chores Fairly in Marriage

13. Family squabbles 

Often in cases of disputes with family or friends, a male chauvinist will point out what you could have done differently. Speak with your husband and voice how vital his being on your side is; you want to be on the same page.

Related Reading: How to Work Through Common Family and Relationship Problems

14. The benefit of the doubt

While a male chauvinist might have doubts over what you’re telling them, you must express to them the need for them to always give you the benefit of the doubt. 

That’s challenging for someone like this who is very set in the behavior and personality, but now that you’re married, these are your methods for how to handle a male chauvinist husband.

Related Reading: How to Give Your Spouse the Benefit of the Doubt When You’re Mad

15. Deep breaths and walk away

You might both need to do this when frustration sets in, and it will. Dealing with a male chauvinist is challenging. There might be times you attempt to ignore the behavior, and other times it’s constantly in your face making that an impossibility. 

That’s when you choose to take a few deep breaths and go off into either another room or even leave to get some space.

Related Reading: Are You Tolerating your Spouse’s Hurtful Behavior?

16. Try to let go of unreasonable expectations

It’s easy to believe you can entirely change someone; that’s not possible. People will try to make personal improvements. It is possible to have open communication to develop reasonable ways to make the partnership somewhat better and reduce male chauvinism to a degree. 

Each of you needs to work towards that healthy outcome. It’s important to remember; you love your husband even on days you don’t like him so much.

Related Reading: How to Recognize and Tackle Unrealistic Expectations in Relationships

17. Sexist behavior

If you had a sexist experience at work, don’t allow your husband to stand up for the guy by giving him the benefit of the doubt. He must help you work through the problem and talk as much as you need to resolve the issue or go to more extraordinary lengths to bring a solution.

18. Positivity is harder for men

Positivity is harder for men. It’s a challenge to know how to handle a male chauvinist husband when they stereotypically find fault with everything and determine that it won’t work or will prove a poor experience. 

Try not to let yourself fall into the trap. Work with your partner in developing a united front so a solution can be found to satisfy everyone.

Related Reading: 20 Ways to Build Positive Relationships

19. Teach your male chauvinist to use “I” terms with confrontation

When confronting, the male chauvinist tends to use “you” statements which come across as attacking and blaming. Instead, it’s critical to express how you feel by using “I” ideas and why you feel the way you do.

20. No flirting for anyone

Typically, male chauvinists tend to have one set of rules for themselves and another set for their significant other. That need not be tolerated between a married couple. 

For instance, a man can’t be out flirting under any circumstance with the same rules applying for his spouse. And any other specific guidelines he’s established for himself should carry over.

Related Reading: Why Do People Flirt? 6 Surprising Reasons

21. Undermining your mate’s concerns or thoughts

Male chauvinists easily diminish their mate’s perspective when their goal is to reach a fast resolve for an issue they’re dealing with. Even if you genuinely find her perception absurd, that judgment should remain with you. 

We all have differing views and opinions, they won’t all coincide or work with the scenario at hand, but that doesn’t mean there was a conscious effort put into that viewpoint. 

22. If you need time alone, ensure that your male chauvinist recognizes this

Sometimes there’s no reason behind the need; we all need some personal space even when we’re married. You each must have independent time away from each other. It can also help you refocus on new methods for how to handle male chauvinist husbands.

23. Ignore the behavior

Sometimes straight up, ignoring the male chauvinistic behavior when it’s happening around you is the best thing you can do to avoid it progressing or potential conflict. Just simply let it go right over your head.

Related Reading: The Five Elements of Conflict

24. Boundaries crossed

When your male chauvinist husband tends to cross over boundaries you’ve set since before you were married, a discussion needs to be had so this stops. When boundaries are broken, that’s a sign of disrespect and one reason why someone would need to walk away.

Related Reading: 6 Types of Boundaries in Relationships & How to Maintain Them

25. Counseling

Another method for how to handle a male chauvinist husband is to reach out to a couples counselor. A professional can work with the chauvinist to get them to recognize their behavior and attempt to guide them towards a more healthy path.

Final thought

Male chauvinism is a skewed view that men are superior to women in every context. It’s their opinion the ideal woman should marry and run the household. 

These sexist behaviors can be subtle at the beginning of a relationship, even into marriage. Once a mate notices the tendencies, it’s vital to look for constructive ways with the spouse to reduce the behavior. 

Couples counseling is an excellent first step to help the chauvinist recognize their issue and find healthy ways to reduce the behavior.