What Makes a Good Partner: Lessons from Western Women
Women across America, Britain, and Canada reveal the qualities that make a man worth keeping
Character Over Looks and Money
Western women have figured out something important. Good looks and money are nice but they do not make a good partner. A good partner is someone with strong character. Someone who is kind to people who cannot do anything for him. Someone who keeps his word. Someone who takes responsibility when he makes mistakes instead of blaming others. Someone who treats women with respect and sees them as equals, not as objects to be conquered. Character is everything because character determines how someone treats you in good times and bad times.
A good partner is also someone who is working on becoming a better version of himself. He has goals and ambitions. He reads and learns. He thinks about his life and tries to grow. He is not perfect but he is trying. He admits when he is wrong and works to do better next time. He takes care of his health and his mental health. He does not expect his girlfriend to fix him or make him happy. He knows that he is responsible for his own happiness and he works on that. When two people who are both working on themselves come together, they make each other stronger, not weaker.
Women also value a partner who is emotionally intelligent. Someone who can recognize his own feelings and talk about them. Someone who can listen when she is upset without immediately trying to fix everything. Someone who can sit with her pain instead of running away from it. Someone who shows affection openly. Someone who is not afraid to be vulnerable. In the modern world, emotional strength is not about being tough and silent. It is about being able to feel deeply and express those feelings in healthy ways. That is what real strength looks like.
Meet These Women and Their Insights
Girl Number 1: Nicole Rodriguez
Profession:
Yoga Instructor and Wellness Coach
Education:
Bachelor’s in Health and Wellness from Florida International University
Languages:
English, Spanish
Interests:
Yoga, wellness, beach life, meditation
Looking For:
Kind, emotionally available, growth oriented
Nicole teaches yoga and wellness and she sees how stress and emotional pain show up in people’s bodies. She understands that inner work is just as important as physical health. She wants a partner who is doing his own inner work. Someone who meditates or journeys or does therapy. Someone who is aware of his emotions and is working to heal his past. Someone who brings that same awareness to the relationship. Nicole believes that two emotionally healthy people can build something beautiful together.
Connect with Nicole →
Girl Number 2: Sophie Williams
Location:
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Profession:
Social Worker
Education:
Bachelor’s in Social Work from University of Edinburgh
Languages:
English, French
Interests:
Social work, helping others, hiking, Scottish culture
Looking For:
Compassionate, principled, action oriented
Sophie works as a social worker helping vulnerable people. She sees the difference between people who have good character and people who do not. She wants a partner who shares her values about kindness and compassion. Someone who sees helping others as important. Someone who does not just talk about his values but actually lives them. Sophie wants to partner with someone who will build a life based on principles that matter, not just on making money or looking good.
Connect with Sophie →
Girl Number 3: Olivia Grant
Location:
Calgary, Canada
Education:
Bachelor’s in Architecture from University of Calgary
Languages:
English, French
Interests:
Architecture, design, mountain activities, art
Looking For:
Ambitious, principled, emotionally mature
Olivia designs buildings and spaces and she thinks about how design affects people’s lives. She approaches relationships with the same thoughtfulness. She wants a partner who has thought about what kind of man he wants to be. Someone who has ambitions for his life. Someone who is working to become better. Someone who makes decisions based on his values, not based on what looks good or what is easy. Olivia wants a real adult partner, someone who has done the work to know himself and is comfortable in his own skin.
Connect with Olivia →
Source: Insights from women in North America and the United Kingdom about what makes a good partner.