Relationship Deal Breakers For Women: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you dating right now and trying to figure out if the person you’re seeing is worth pursuing a relationship with? Or maybe you’re in a long-term relationship and feeling uneasy about some aspects of it.
Whatever the case, understanding what constitutes a deal breaker is crucial when it comes to determining whether the relationship is worth pursuing or not. So what exactly is a deal breaker?
Simply put, it’s a factor or habit that is so intolerable that it would cause you to end the relationship regardless of how much you care for the person. Deal breakers can vary depending on the individual, but there are some common ones that many women consider to be non-negotiable.
Common Relationship Deal Breakers
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Poor Hygiene
It may seem obvious, but poor hygiene is a major turn-off for many women. Bad breath, body odor, and unkempt hair can be major red flags.
While it’s reasonable to expect your partner to be clean and well-groomed, it’s important to communicate this in a kind and gentle way. If the person you’re seeing can’t or won’t make an effort to improve their hygiene, it might be time to move on.
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Cockiness
Confidence is attractive, but there’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness. A partner who is overly confident and thinks they’re always right can be frustrating and exhausting to be around.
Humility is a much more attractive trait as it shows that your partner is willing to admit when they’re wrong and open to learning new things.
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Player
Some men thrive on attention and attraction from multiple women. While it may be flattering initially, it can be a huge deal breaker if you find out your partner is a womanizer.
If you want a faithful relationship that’s based on trust, a player is not the right person for you.
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Ignorance
Not everyone is informed on every topic, but it’s important to have a basic knowledge of current events and general knowledge. A partner who is uninformed or lacks knowledge in a variety of areas can be a turn-off.
Having someone who is intellectually stimulating can be much more enjoyable in a relationship.
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Being Unkind to Others
Kindness and compassion are important traits to have, and a partner who is unkind to others can be a major deal breaker. Someone who mocks other people’s interests or makes fun of others’ problems or struggles may not be someone you want to share your life with long-term.
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Overcontrolling
It’s healthy to have your partner’s input on decision-making, but it’s a major issue when your partner tries to micromanage every aspect of your life. It’s important to have your independence and trust in your own decision-making.
If your partner is overcontrolling, it can be suffocating and make you feel trapped.
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Unreliability
Trust and dependability are key to having a healthy relationship. It’s important to know that your partner will follow through with what they say they’re going to do.
If your partner isn’t consistent or reliable, it can lead to relationship issues in the future.
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Selfishness
A partnership should be based on generosity and giving, not on self-centeredness. A partner who is always thinking about themselves and their own interests can be a major turn-off.
A partnership should be about teamwork and working together towards mutual goals.
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Jealousy
Some people find jealousy and competitiveness to be attractive, but it can be a major turn-off for others. Someone who is always jealous or even resentful of your accomplishments can be a sign of a deeper issue, such as low self-esteem or insecurity.
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Unemployed
Being unemployed for a short period is one thing, but a long-term unemployment or lack of motivation to find a job can be a major deal breaker. Someone who isn’t motivated to contribute to the relationship in a meaningful way might not be the partner for you.
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Addiction
Substance abuse or compulsive behavior can be incredibly difficult to deal with. These issues can impact every aspect of the relationship and even lead to serious long-term problems.
It’s important to seek help if you or your partner is struggling with addiction.
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Infidelity
Perhaps the most obvious deal breaker is infidelity. A relationship is built on trust and faithfulness.
If you can’t trust your partner, the relationship is bound to fail.
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Being Possessive
Similar to overcontrolling, being possessive can be suffocating and make you feel trapped. It’s important to have personal space in a relationship.
A partner who is constantly needing to know where you are and who you’re with can be a major red flag.
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Liars
Honesty and trustworthiness are key to a healthy relationship. If your partner lies about small things or even important issues, it can be a major deal breaker.
If your partner can’t be trusted, the relationship is doomed to fail.
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Timidity
Courageousness and boldness can be attractive, while timidity and shyness can be a major turn-off. It’s important to have a balance in a relationship where both partners feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions.
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Clingy Men
Just like being possessive, clinginess can be incredibly draining. It’s important to have personal space and independence.
Someone who can’t give you the space you need might not be the right partner for you.
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Dishonesty
Similarly to lies, dishonesty is a major turn-off. Trust is crucial in a relationship, and if your partner is dishonest about how they feel or their intentions, it can lead to major issues down the line.
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Pride
Arrogance and excessive pride can be a major deal breaker. A partner who is constantly bragging about their achievements and putting others down can ruin the dynamic of a relationship.
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Still Close With Their Ex
Communication about past relationships is critical, but staying close with an ex can be a major boundary violation. If your partner is constantly in communication with their ex, it can be a major red flag that they aren’t over the relationship.
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Bad Dining Habits
Table manners and etiquette may seem like minor issues, but they can actually be major deal breakers. Eating with your mouth open, chewing loudly, or not using utensils properly can be a major turn-off.
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Too Adamant and Opinionated
Just like being cocky, being too opinionated can be frustrating. It’s healthy to have perspective and an informed opinion, but someone who is abrasively opinionated can be exhausting to be around.
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Extreme Social Butterfly
Social gatherings can be a lot of fun, but they’re not for everyone. Someone who is always wanting to party and go out can be exhausting to be around if you’re more of a homebody.
It’s important to have balance in a relationship.
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Abusive Men
Physical or emotional abuse should never be tolerated. It’s important to prioritize your safety and walk away from a relationship that is unhealthy or abusive.
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Still Controlled by Parents
Dependency or lack of motivation can be a major turn-off, especially if the person in question is still controlled by their parents. It’s important to have a partner who is independent and autonomous.
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Obsolete Views of Women
Gender roles and domestic duties should be discussed early on and should be mutually agreed upon. Someone who has obsolete views of women and may not see them as equal in the relationship may not be a suitable partner.
In conclusion, each person has their own unique deal breakers depending on their values, beliefs, and life experiences. It’s important to communicate early on in the relationship about what those factors are and to be honest with yourself about what you will and will not tolerate.
By doing so, you’ll be setting yourself up for a healthy, fulfilling relationship that you can enjoy for many years to come. Have you ever been in a relationship and felt like something just wasn’t quite right?
Perhaps you couldn’t put your finger on it, but something about your partner’s behavior or habits just didn’t sit well with you. It’s possible that you were picking up on one or more of Peter K. Jonason’s 25 relationship deal breakers for women to look out for. In a study conducted by Jonason, he identified the deal breakers that women consider to be red flags in potential partners.
From poor hygiene to obsolete views of women, these deal breakers can vary in severity, but they all indicate incompatibility in a relationship.
Identifying Red Flags: Jonason’s Deal Breakers
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Hygiene
Poor hygiene is one of the most commonly cited deal breakers by women. It includes bad breath, body odor, and an overall unkempt appearance.
It may seem shallow, but cleanliness and self-care are important aspects of personal responsibility and respect for oneself and others.
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Cockiness
Confidence is attractive, but arrogance and cockiness are not. A partner who thinks they’re always right and has an inflated sense of self can be a major turn-off.
It’s important to find someone who is humble and open to constructive criticism.
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Player
A player, someone who is constantly seeking attention and validation from multiple partners, is a major deal breaker for many women. The lack of trust and faithfulness can lead to issues down the line in the relationship.
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Ignorance
While not everyone is knowledgeable about every topic, a partner who is uninformed or lacks basic common sense can be a major turn-off. It’s important to find someone who is intellectually stimulating and open to learning.
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Unkindness
Kindness and compassion are essential traits in a partner. A partner who is unkind to others may also treat you poorly in the relationship.
It’s important to find someone who is respectful of others and has empathy.
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Overcontrolling
A major turn-off is a partner who is excessively controlling, micromanaging, and doesn’t trust you to make decisions on your own. It’s important to have a partner who respects your independence.
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Unreliability
Trust and dependability are key to the foundation of a relationship. If your partner is unreliable and constantly failing to follow through on their commitments, it can lead to issues down the line.
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Selfishness
A healthy relationship must be based on an equal effort to give and take.
Selfishness can lead to resentment and an imbalance in the relationship.
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Jealousy
Some people find jealousy and possessiveness to be attractive, but it can be a major turn-off. Unreasonable jealousy can indicate insecurity and mistrust in a relationship.
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Unemployment
While being unemployed for a short period is understandable, a lack of motivation or a long-term unemployment situation can be a deal breaker. A successful relationship is based on mutual support and contribution toward common goals.
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Addiction
Substance abuse or compulsive behavior can be overwhelming and should be addressed before entering into a relationship.
Addiction can easily become a major issue that affects every aspect of a relationship.
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Infidelity
Cheating is the ultimate deal breaker for most women. Trust is essential in a relationship, and once that trust is broken, it’s hard to recover it.
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Possessiveness
Jealousy and constant control, such as needing to know where you are all the time, are a turn-off. It’s essential to have personal space and independence in a relationship.
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Lies
Honesty and trustworthiness are essential traits in a partner. Minor lies can turn into major deals, and if you can’t trust your partner, the relationship will suffer.
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Timidity
It’s essential to have a partner who is bold and confident. However, someone who is timid and lacks the courage to assert themselves can be a turn-off.
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Clinginess
Some people need personal space and independence in a relationship. A partner who is always wanting to be around can be exhausting.
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Dishonesty
Dishonesty indicates a lack of trust and respect in a relationship. It’s essential to have open communication and honesty in all aspects of a relationship.
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Pride
Excessive pride and arrogance are unattractive traits and can lead to an unbalanced relationship. It’s essential to have a partner who is humble and equal in a relationship.
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Still Close with Their Ex
Constant communication with an ex-partner can signal that someone hasn’t gotten over the past. It can cause jealousy and issues in a new relationship.
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Bad Dining Habits
Table manners and etiquette may seem insignificant, but they can be important indicators of someone’s behavior. Poor habits such as slurping, talking with your mouth full, or using poor utensil skills can be a major turn-off.
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Too Adamant and Opinionated
Arrogance and a constant need to assert one’s opinions can be a major deal breaker. A successful relationship is based on open communication and respect.
Having an alpha male in the relationship can lead to imbalance and unhealthy competition.
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Extreme Social Butterfly
Social gatherings are great, but having a partner who is constantly seeking attention and needs to be the center of attention can be tiring. It’s important to have balance in a relationship with personal space in conjunction with socialization.
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Still Controlled by Parents
Dependency and a lack of motivation can be a major turn-off. It’s important to find a partner who is independent and self-sufficient.
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Obsolete Views of Women
Gender roles and domestic duties should be discussed and mutually agreed upon. A partner who has obsolete views of women and does not see them as equal in the relationship is unacceptable.
In conclusion, recognizing deal breakers is important in any relationship. Looking for deal breakers before entering into serious relationships will lead to healthy relationships.
When in doubt, seeking a counselor, a therapist, or reading books like Deal Breakers by Dr. Bethany Marshall can provide helpful insights. Compatibility is key, and finding someone who meets your core values and beliefs will lead to a healthy and fulfilling partnership.
In conclusion, identifying and recognizing relationship deal breakers is an essential aspect of any healthy relationship. Whether it is poor hygiene, cockiness, or an obsolete view of women, being aware of these red flags can help us avoid entering into an incompatible relationship.
By addressing these factors early on and establishing mutual respect and trust, we can pave the way for a fulfilling and long-lasting relationship. So, take the time for introspection, recognize your deal breakers, and build a relationship with mutual understanding with your partner.
