A growing trend is emerging in the dating world where women are shouldering the emotional burden of their male partners. Known as 'mankeeping,' this trend sees women shouldering the emotional burden of their partners, essentially becoming unofficial, unpaid therapists tasked with navigating and resolving their emotional turmoil. Research from Stanford suggests that this emotional labour is driving women out of the dating pool as they become exhausted from carrying the weight of their partner's emotional baggage.

As a result, women are increasingly opting out of relationships where they feel undervalued and overburdened. Let's know more about this viral trend which is making women step away from dating.

What Is Mankeeping?

Mankeeping is a term coined by Stanford University researchers to describe the emotional labour that many heterosexual women undertake in their relationships. This unpaid and taxing work involves managing their partner's emotions, acting as a crisis hotline and providing caregiving without reciprocation. Women often find themselves decoding their partner's moods, organising their social calendar and offering emotional support all while shouldering the burden of these responsibilities alone. This habitual and exhausting duty can be draining, leaving women feeling undervalued and overworked in their relationships.

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Mankeeping is making women emotionally drained (Image Credits: Canva)

How Is This Trend Making Women Giving Up On Dating?

She Is More Like A Therapist

As she constantly listens to his problems without being asked about her own, she feels reduced to a therapist rather than a partner, leading to feelings of emotional inequality and resentment.

Suppressed Emotions

When his needs always take priority, her desires and concerns get suppressed, causing emotional neglect that can leave her feeling unheard, unseen and unvalued in the relationship.

No Emotional Connection

The lack of mutual sharing and emotional connection can weaken the bond between them, making her feel like a dumping ground for his emotions.

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She Lose Herself

Constantly absorbing his emotional pain can lead to emotional exhaustion, causing her to lose touch with her own identity, desires and feelings.

Burnout And Exhaustion

While having a supportive partner is essential, a one-sided dynamic can be draining. When she's constantly expected to be the rock, listening to his problems without receiving emotional support in return, she can become depleted, burnt out and emotionally exhausted.