Most of us have been on the receiving end of it – when men send unsolicited raunchy pictures of themselves and we wouldn’t know what to do or how to react to it.
What exactly goes on in their minds while sharing explicit images is something beyond our comprehension, but a dating coach explains the psychology behind the sudden urge to put themselves on display.
Why men send ‘explicit’ images, according to dating coach
British dating coach and television personality Matthew Hussey has explained in one of his videos on YouTube why men take the liberty to share personal pictures of themselves, sometimes without seeking your consent.
He was at a live event when a woman in the audience asked him about men’s urge to share explicit pictures, prompting an honest response from the dating coach.
According to Matthew, the topic isn’t new among men, but they fall on a spectrum, meaning, some of them may share personal pictures soon after the two of you hit it off, and the others, are more opportunistic with time.
Those who share such pictures in question soon after the first interaction are “badly socially calibrated humans,” says Matthew, and it reflects poorly on their character if they were willing to get intimate with them eventually.
However, if this happens with a man whom you’ve been speaking to for a while, he may be “moving too quickly for you”. The person may have assumed you’re willing to sleep with him and considers the explicit picture of himself an invitation, although you may not feel similarly about him.
If you find yourself in such a situation, the best response would be to tell the man: “you’ve confused me with a future me that’s been on many more dates with you,” to imply you aren’t ready to move as quickly in the relationship.
This is more prevalent in the digital world
The issue with raunchy pictures and texts is prevalent in the modern world thanks to easy access to technology.
Dating apps, websites, and other virtual modes create a sense of “anonymity and emotional distance”, which makes it convenient for anyone to indulge in actions that are considered inappropriate otherwise.
Matthew says men you are interested in who use the “space” that they think is safe aren’t necessarily bad. “They may be slight opportunists trying their luck,”, but need be educated, says the dating coach.
However, sending or receiving explicit pictures without consent isn’t acceptable on most dating apps and violates the community guidelines on every social media platform. You can always report the user when subjected to inappropriate behavior.
Matthew has gained millions of followers across social media by helping women navigate romantic relationships through his videos, podcasts, best-selling books, and a company called GetTheGuy, through which he’s created several programs and events to offer dating advice.
