Last week I shared the top five needs of men, based on my clinical experience.  What are the needs of women and how are they different? One of the most important needs for a woman is emotional intimacy, connection, and attachment.  What does this mean?  Women desire intimate conversations that are deep, personal, and emotionally based.  Consider this to be foreplay for women, since they prefer this type of connection before physical intimacy.  A second need for a woman is affection, not necessarily sexual. In fact, they often prefer spontaneous affection without the assumption that sex will follow.  Affection can be expressed through hugs, kisses, hand holding, and touching which provides women with a sense of comfort, security and approval.  Women desire commitment, trust, and consistency in their partner.  They want someone they can count on, a man who will provide financial support, and who will protect them.  Another need for a woman is a man who values his wife’s feelings, opinions, and decisions showing this through validation and acceptance.  Women want their spouse to include them in decisions, respect their input, and acknowledge their strengths.  Lastly women want quality time with their spouse without other distractions consuming his focus and attention.  She wants to know that the marriage is a high priority in his life and that he’s willing to invest time and energy into nurturing the relationship.  As mentioned in last week’s blog, both men and women value a spouse that takes responsibility for their physical and emotional well-being.  If you find an area that you’re lacking decide today to work on it and take charge of your marriage.