Page 58 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2024

HEALTHY LIVING
ROLE
REVERSAL
Do Single Men Want To Be Asked Out?
story by Dr. Nickie Harris-Ray
It’s 2024, and the former days of men traditionally courting women seem to be over and ladies are taking matters into their own hands.
When I was in college, it was commonplace for a single lady to be asked out for Valentine’s Day, but every leap year the role would reverse and we would invite a man out.
But today, many women are just going for it! They are initiating first dates, sliding into DMs, and even proposing to their man
of choice. A Men’s Health magazine survey found men absolutely love it when ladies make the first move. But how does the
single, Southern gentleman feel about the new, bold female? I conducted a quick social media study independently and got some valuable insight.
Josh L. is a single, never-married man in his 30s living in the South. He stated that men would be delighted by signals and women initiating the steps of interest. He said this is especially important when it can be hard to get a good read on the level of a woman’s interest. However, whereas he feels being asked out and initiating intimacy in a relationship is okay, he would prefer to be the one doing the proposing.
BB7 is divorced and in his 50s. He feels a spark of aggressiveness in women is needed because he feels some women operate using their mom’s traditional “playbook.” In his opinion, coffee is a good first date. That way, money and a pressure to dress outside of your comfort zone are off the table. He adds that if a woman is genuinely interested, she will be a team player in all aspects of the dating process.
JH is in his 40s and divorced. He says men appreciate assertiveness and mutual “initiations in relationships, challenging traditional gender roles.” He thinks the assertive woman is different but a good idea. Exploring other aspects can contribute to a more inclusive and diverse dating landscape.
DJ RD, who has never been married and is in his 40s, agrees. He says aggressiveness is subjective, and in the Me Too era, women initiating interest is a plus. He states that women can express interest and adds, “As the man, it’s my responsibility
to plan a date, and from there we can decide how to proceed together.”
Bottom line: according to these men, go for it, ladies! Spark the flame, then let the men kindle the fire.
58 | February 2024
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