Kiran Athar
When you first meet a guy who is super involved with his family, what comes to mind?
Mummy’s boy? A man who can’t cut those apron strings?
I know I’ve been guilty of thinking this in the past (and for some men, the above terms are true).
But one thing I’ve also come to realize is that there are tons of great qualities associated with being close to your family.
So, if you’re considering dating a man who is family-orientated, it’s worth recognizing these endearing traits:
1) Loyalty
We all want loyalty in a relationship, right?
So, when you meet a man who is tight with his family, there’s a good chance he’s highly loyal too.
He always shows up for his parents and siblings, and that crosses over into his friendships and relationships.
In other words, he puts the well-being of those he loves above all else. And no matter how tough things get, he’ll never abandon them.
If his family is close-knit, it’s likely that this has been instilled in him from childhood. As a man, he embodies it in all he does.
2) Responsibility
When I first met my partner, I noticed that he went out of his way to do things for his family.
If he told his grandpa he’d help him clear out the garage, no matter how sick or tired he was, he’d be there bright and early to lend a hand.
When I’d say, “Hey, you need a break. Why don’t you cancel or move it to another day? I’m sure your family will understand,” he’d say he can’t, he made a commitment and he’s sticking to it.
I found this very admirable. It also plays out in our relationship – he takes responsibility for his actions and always sticks to his commitments.
So yes, if you plan on dating a family-orientated man, you may have to share him. But the plus side is that you know you’ll be treated well because he knows how to think of others and not just himself!
3) Empathy
Now, this next point isn’t to say that people who aren’t family-oriented aren’t empathetic. That’s not true at all.
But those who do maintain a close relationship with their loved ones probably have to practice empathy on a daily basis.
A man who is close to his family listens to their problems. He offers a comforting shoulder to lean on. He tunes in to their emotional needs.
If he can do all of that, imagine how he’d be in a relationship.
4) Patience
Let’s not beat around the bush – family is great and all, but they can be testing at the best of times!
So if a man still stays involved with his, you know he has patience.
Regardless of family politics, parental expectations, and sibling rivalry, he never gives up on them.
The fact that he’s learned how to navigate such issues without losing his cool means, in theory, he should be able to do the same in his relationships.
5) Generosity
Another endearing character trait of a family-orientated man is his generosity.
He has no problem sharing. He enjoys being thoughtful and buying gifts, taking his time to find the right present for each family member.
But it’s not just material things that he’s generous with…
It’s also things like:
- His time
- His patience
- His love and care
He’s used to thinking of others and considering their needs.
My partner has taught me the value of being generous by seeing how he interacts with his family.
I see his nephews’ faces light up when he surprises them with little toys. I see how much his grandma appreciates him stopping by to have a coffee, for no reason other than to keep her company.
Watching him has actually encouraged me to make more of an effort with my family, so you never know what you might learn from a man like this.
6) Adaptability
When you spend a lot of time with your family, you have to be adaptable. Especially if you’ve got a big family!
And a man who is family-orientated knows this all too well. He has to compromise when it comes to making plans.
He has to adjust things last minute when a family member cancels or needs a favor.
By learning to be adaptable through his family, he’ll also carry this trait into other areas of his life.
He’s able to look for solutions quickly and do what’s best for his family, but also for everyone else he cares about.
7) Protectiveness
I’ve dated men who were only children, and men who had brothers. Now I’m dating a man who has a sister, and my gosh, the difference!
He’s protective but in a good way. Not overbearing or restrictive.
But it’s clear he’s thought about potential dangers his little sister might face, and he does the same with me.
Again, that’s not to paint all men with the same brush. Even those who aren’t family orientated or who are only children can still be protective.
But chances are, if he’s got siblings that he’s close with, he’ll be on the lookout. He’ll be the first to offer to pick them up after a late night out or to give them advice on staying safe.
This is a lovely quality to have as you always feel safe around a man like this!
8) Affection
And the final endearing character trait of a family-orientated man is how affectionate he is.
He shows his love through his words or actions. If he’s not the most touchy-feely type of fella, he’ll go out of his way to run errands or fix things around the house.
Whichever way he displays it, he knows how to create a warm, loving environment.
And that’s why I’ve changed my mind about dating family-orientated men.
I know so many women who think that men like this will be constantly under the thumb of their relatives, but if he’s a mature, independent man, he’ll know how to keep a balance.
So, if you’re considering dating a man like this, know that he’ll probably bring some beautiful traits to the table, ones that benefit his family but also you too!
