Why Do I Have To Think Like A Man?

There's this book written by the ex-wife of an NFL player called "Why Do I Have To Think Like A Man?". Her name is Shanae Hall. The book speaks on relationships in which women settle. Women are told to think like a man so they wouldn't get hurt and Hall's question is why?. She was interviewed (http://www.lemondrop.com/2010/10/18/nfl-wife-shanae-hall-relationship-book/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl3|sec1_lnk3|178545) about her views expressed in the book and I must say, she knows what she's talking about.

Interviewer: This sounds like that "player mentality" you talk about in your book. It happens in famous athletes as well as the dudes at the local bar, and you say that women have a part in maintaining that behavior.

Shanae Hall: Exactly. The reason we have men with player mentality is that there are no consequences for those men. Women stay [with mistreating men] because we're afraid of being alone, or we have kids with them, or we feel like we're supposed to be married. We have to set higher standards. Love doesn't hurt, love isn't embarrassing. If your boyfriend or husband is treating you poorly and you don't leave, you're telling him that it's OK. If it's always happening to you, you're always letting it happen. You're ignoring the red flags.

Hall is one hundred percent right. A person cannot mistreat you, if you don't allow it. I understand that your life may be the foundation of that relationship, but you cannot live a healthy life if that foundation is not solid.

All over Mysspace, Facebook, AIM, Twitter, and any other social network or status you can think of ; I've come across the quote "think like a man so you won't get hurt like a woman" (of course the words used were more vulgar but you should get my point). Men say we should think more like them and women feel they don't think enough. From my perspective your train of thought comes from life's experiences not your gender. Yes, I do really believe that. Some people who personally know me may catch me voicing otherwise (life is just one big ol contradiction). The reality is that stereo-types exist. Some true, some false. Either way, you don't have to think like anyone but yourself. Once you define what love means to you, your relationship is defined. So tell me, who are you thinking as?