A young lady in her early twenties recently came to me for advice on getting in shape.
She wanted to be the best girlfriend for her boyfriend, who had certain ideas about how her body should look.
She mentioned his complaints about her belly and her “back” not being “firm but floating like water” (he meant she was fat and her body wasn’t firm and sculpted).
It bothered me to hear her talk about it because it was apparent to me that he didn’t respect her body.
Despite this, she was okay with it and wanted to make him happy.
I told her that respect (including respect for your body) is as important as love in a relationship.
When you love someone, you shouldn’t disrespect their body.
For this reason, I put up this post to share with her and anyone else interested in the signs that show your boyfriend might be disrespecting your body.
Recognizing these signs is crucial because seemingly small actions or words can have a long-term impact on a woman’s self-esteem.
10 Signs He Doesn’t Respect Your Body
1. He body shames you
Dictionary.com described body shaming as “the action or practice of mocking or stigmatizing someone by making critical comments about the shape, size, or appearance of their body.”
Body shaming is one of the top signs of a man disrespecting a woman’s body.
This disrespectful behavior can come in different forms, from negative comments about your weight or appearance to outright criticism.
Remember the story of the lady in the introduction?
Her boyfriend remarked that her “back is not firm but floats like water.”
That is outrightly disrespectful!
If your partner consistently makes you feel bad about your body, that is not okay.
A good partner should appreciate your uniqueness and boost your self-esteem instead of tearing it down.
Your body is a part of who you are, and if he genuinely loves you, he should celebrate it instead of passing judgment.
Negative comments about your body show a lack of respect, and addressing this behavior is important.
2. He disregards your consent
One of the ways of showing respect for a woman’s body in a healthy relationship is to seek her consent before touching her body, especially when it comes to physical intimacy.
If your man consistently ignores your boundaries or downplays mutual agreement, then that’s a serious sign of disrespect for your body.
A man can disregard a woman’s consent in many ways, from subtle pressure to more direct actions.
It might involve forceful sex or manipulating situations.
Both partners have the right to discuss comfort levels and seek consent before any intimate activities.
If you ever feel pressured or your boundaries are being ignored, your body isn’t being respected.
Your boundaries are valid, and a partner who truly respects you will prioritize your comfort and consent.
3. He ignores your discomfort
Typically, both partners should be tuned into each other’s needs, especially when it comes to physical comfort.
If your partner usually ignores any signs of discomfort or pain you express, it calls for concern about how they view your body.
In fact, this lack of consideration extends beyond the bedroom.
If you mention discomfort or pain in everyday situations, and your partner brushes it off, it’s a sign they’re not prioritizing your well-being.
A guy who respects you would listen and respond to your needs, ensuring you feel comfortable and safe.
If your comfort is continuously overlooked, it means your well-being, including your body, isn’t getting the respect it deserves.
4. He only wants sex
If your partner’s is only about having sex with you, and there’s not much genuine connection, it might mean all they want is your body.
That is disrespectful to your body.
If your relationship feels one-sided, focusing primarily on bedroom activities and not much else, it could be a sign that your partner isn’t valuing you for more than sexual intercourse.
Good relationships cover different areas: emotions, care, and, yeah, the physical side, too.
However, if it’s all about sex and not much else, then maybe your partner just sees your body as a tool for satisfaction and nothing else.
This doesn’t show respect for your body.
5. He asks for inappropriate sexual activities
Does your partner continuously pressure you to engage in sexual activities that make you uncomfortable or cross your boundaries?
Like anal sex, group sex, bestiality, or any other weird sexual preferences?
It simply means they don’t respect your body.
A partner who respects your body won’t even suggest such things to you.
6. He dictates your appearance
Everyone has the right to rock their style without anyone playing fashion police.
If your partner is pushing a dress code or making you change your look to fit their expectations, it raises concern about their respect for your autonomy.
A decent guy gets that your style is part of what makes you awesome.
Autonomy matters, especially when it comes to how you present yourself.
Mutual respect means supporting each other’s choices, not forcing a wardrobe makeover.
This is where communication comes into play: talk openly about preferences without turning it into a power play.
If your partner truly respects you, they’ll cheer on your personal style.
And if there’s something to tweak, it should be done “in love,” not control.
7. He holds you to double standard
I picked up on this point from a friend who shared that her boyfriend dislikes being tickled, yet he enjoys tickling her.
Equality and fairness are part of what makes up for a healthy relationship.
But when there’s a double standard, it’s a sign that your partner might not fully respect you or your body.
Double standards show up when there are inconsistent rules in the relationship.
Your man might set strict guidelines for you while giving themselves more freedom.
For example, they tell you not to get tattoos or piercings while they have them.
It’s about controlling what you do to your body, even though they wouldn’t accept the same control.
A respectful relationship embraces equal treatment.
If your guy is holding you to different standards, in this context, it’s a sign that he doesn’t respect your body.
8. He requests for your nude
If your partner keeps bugging you for explicit photos or nudes, it might be a sign they’re not respecting your boundaries.
If he goes ahead to leak the nudes out, this is even worse.
In a good relationship, there shouldn’t be any pressure to share intimate pictures.
Respecting your privacy and consent is fundamental, and a partner who keeps asking for explicit photos without considering your feelings is crossing the line.
9. He physically abuses you
A partner who beats you and does all manner of despicable things to your body in a fit of anger has no regard for it.
Even if it is as much a slap, it is equally wrong.
This is common to narcissists.
They are masters at manipulating and gaslighting their victims.
The same guy who beats you to a pulp will later profess love for you and nurse the wounds he inflicted on you, stating that you made him do it.
Run!
He has no respect for your body or you!
10. He offers to pay you for sex
Offering to pay for intimate moments undermines the emotional bond and respect that should be the core of any relationship.
It turns sex into a transaction, which can make one feel used or exploited.
If your partner suggests paying for sex, it’s like treating you as a transaction rather than respecting your body.
Respecting each other in a relationship comes in different forms, and one crucial aspect is respecting your partner’s body.
This is a big deal because it directly affects their confidence and self-esteem.
If you notice any signs of disrespect from your boyfriend, have an honest chat with him about it.
Let him know it hurts you; your man should support you, not bring you down.
And don’t forget to show some love to your body, too; treating it with respect sets the standard for how others should treat it.