I don't know WHY we let them run our lives...but they do. The sad thing is that this isn't really discussed in it's effect on men. The roles of father figures on men have a huge impact also. Seems like it can go either way for both sexes. Either watching your father (or mother) treat the other like crap makes you think it's okay to be treated (and to treat others) that way OR it sends you in the opposite direction. Like the people who have really controlling parents growing up and do the opposite when they have kids and let them do whatever they want.

I definitely had father issues and have only recently come to terms with them. I have always dated very controlling men who were very attached to me bc, as Leed, my dad doesn't show emotions ever.

I called him the other day to tell him I got a scholarship to study in Austria and his response was "mmm hmm". That lasted for about 30 seconds until he changed the topic to something else like the weather or telling me to quit smoking. I have seen him cry twice and one of those was my grandma's (his mom) funeral. The other was when I was little and I told him I wanted to stay with my mom more. Most of the time his emotions manifest as anger.

I have had to learn to stand up for myself and not let guys control me. BUT I have admittedly taken it too far. His actions have made me unwilling to accept help from men in general. I'm working on it but it's really hard for me to let a guy help me bc I feel that them helping me means they think I'm weak. It has caused some trouble in my relationship and I'm trying to let it go but it will take a while.