Why do women have such a difficult time admitting they're wrong, or apologizing?

Question

Why do women have such a difficult time admitting they're wrong, or apologizing to a man, whereas men are raised to always accept fault and apologize to the woman? Whenever you watch a movie or a sitcom, it's always the man apologizing to her about his mistakes. But she never apologizes about hers. And it's the same way in the real world. "Art imitates life, life imitates art."

One of my girlfriends, I remember I got in to an argument, and I ended up apologizing of course. She had done certain things wrong, but didn't apologize. And then I noticed that she never apologized or acknowledged she was wrong about anything. I tried ignoring it... and it worked for a few weeks. But then I had to bring it up... which of course led to another argument. Finally I was able to get her to apologize, but that was after basically begging her to apologize. In other words, she was never able to apologize on her own, unless I brought it to her attention.

So why is apologizing or admitting fault such a foreign concept to women?

Answer 1

You're meeting the wrong women, sporto.

Answer 2

My mother is like this, especially when it comes to the computer.

I took computer courses in high school and college, yet she insists she knows more about them then i do. I fix the problem with my solution, then she insists that i fixed it wrong.......

However, 90-95% of women i know aren't like this, i find its the stubborn few. All walks of life have a stubborn few.

Answer 3

Deep down women are like children. When they're fed, changed and put to bed, every thing's fine.  When they're bratty though...look out.  Ever try getting a 4 year old to apologize for breaking a vase.  Impossible. They'll make excuse, lie or cheat, before ever admitting any guilt or wrong doing.  Women are like children in adult bodies.

Answer 4

It's a form of psychological violence.

Men have always had the upper hand when it comes to physical violence.  Let's face it, men have naturally stronger physiques and we've been socially tuned to aggression.  In a fist fight, there's no question who would win between a man and a woman 9 times out of 10.  That's not opinion; that's biology.

...and so women have had to develop other forms of violence.  They  use deception, stubbornness, etc. to gain the upper hand.  There are plenty of examples of this.  Rosalind Wiseman wrote an excellent book on the matter (see the source field for the link) that inspired the film "Mean Girls."  [As a disclaimer, I'm speaking in very general terms here - not all women are like this, and certainly there are a lot of men who use the same tactics.]

Women may not be able to win a fistfight, but if they hold their ground and refuse to cave in an argument, they can win it.  Losing an argument would just be another demonstration of weakness.

Answer 5

I'm not afraid to apologize or admit I'm wrong if it's justified but I'm not going to do it if it's insincere or just stoking someone else's ego.

Answer 6

Same reason you do

Answer 7

I'm sorry, but I do not understand where you came up with your mistaken beliefs. Is it not a mistake to make such generalities?

Answer 8

Hmm, I suppose you are correct when you say that on movies, men usually are the ones apologizing, I have noticed that too..  However, I will say, that I have no problem admitting I am wrong and apologizing to my husband.  I will also say that I have been married for six years, and it is a skill that is learned and has come with age and wisdom.  People who are willing to admit when they are wrong and apologize for their mistakes are simply more mature.  How old are the women you date?  Perhaps you are not finding one mature enough that can match your maturity level.  I hate that you think that all women are this way, I know I am not.

Answer 9

because we are always right.

Answer 10

You answered your own question. It's because they're never wrong.  

Answer 11

I am not one of these women.  When I am wrong I can admit it.  It might take 20 mintues, but I always say when I am wrong and apologize when I should.

Answer 12

I'm a woman.  I have very little trouble admitting when I am wrong and apologising.  So on behalf of ALL of those women that have done you wrong, I am sorry.  

Answer 13

Actually it's quite the opposite.  Men have a harder time admitting they were wrong.

Answer 14

Because women are always right! Men have learned that and have just become so accustomed to being humble about being wrong! LOL

Not all men are like what you described and not all women are like what you have described.  I think you're generalizing.

Answer 15

It's really not. I hate using the "some not all reference", but it does apply. I consider myself rather pious when it comes to the needs of others, and always apologize if I have hurt their feels or neglected something important to them in any way. I know not all women are like this, so I can only speak for myself.

Answer 16

I think what you mean to ask is, "Why does my (EX?) GIRLFRIEND have a hard time admitting when she's wrong and apologizing?"

Seriously dude, what you just asked would be like me asking, "Why are all men such perverts?" Of course not all men are perverts, but a minority always exists. Your statement is not fair to those of us women who are mature and can acknowledge our shortcomings and mistakes.  

Answer 17

because they have been taught by their mothers that they should never apologize for the wrong that they do.

Answer 18

I think your screen name speaks volumes about where you stand on the subject:

"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".