HockingValley.com - Is it normal for a 50 year old man to give his wife the "Silent Treatment"?

Is it normal for a 50 year old man to give his wife the "Silent Treatment"?

It seems to me he should be over with that type of mind games in adolecence. ? How do you handle a 50 year old man who would rather clam up for days weeks months than talk honestly with his wife.of many years. This doesn't further communication or understanding at all. What's the point of it? Could he be waiting to see who caves first or what? Is this behavior "passive aggresive" or is he just just socially retarded? He seems to resort to this childish behavior almost every time we have a dissagreement. Almost like he wants to get his way all the time like he is a single guy who isn't accountable to anyone. He is capable of staying this way for months on end. He tunes in to the TV for many hours. It is a very isolating and lonely existance with a husband who is emotionally constipated. He just can't seem to get honest or negotiate with me like an adult. Is a man who resorts to this act :"emotionally abusive" Do others have this problem with their middle age husbands

Public Comments

Well it's a little mean. Immature too.

Oh great.. My husband is 44 and I have this to look forward to? ;-) Anyways, to me, it sounds like your husband has more than a silent treatment problem. If he can go months like this, then maybe he has a problem with depression??? I'm sorry you have to live a life like this, but you have a right to happiness. Please consider getting your husband some counseling and think about whether or not this is what you want to put up with the rest of your life. Good luck.

so dumb, that behavior resolves nothing, actually makes it worse. Tell him what you said here, this is something children pull he needs to air this out so you can both make it better.

I do it and I'm in my thirties. Something must be bothering him and he feels he can't trust you with whatever it is. It's a thing of trust not age.
Also it's a form of getting back for resentment felt. He must resent you. If he hasn't told you why.
Just think to when it first started. For some reason he is mad at you and this is a form of pay back. Those are my reasons for acting like he is. Also it's not a man thing. Because I'm a female and I do it.

I was married to someone like that. And yes, in most cases it is a mind game. And the reason why they never get better is because we, as the weakling, never get better. They feed off our response. As long as you show him that that totally bothers you, he will never stop. But if you ignore and do him they way he does you, he will stop, because he will see that you could care less about having a relationship with him for the moment. I didnt retaliate with my husband, I just simply proved to him that his actions no longer dictated mine. If he is or was military, this is common.

For a 50 year old man to do that is not only immature, but it's stupid!

Hi ,,, it seems to me that they never grow up,,, yes it is very childish but that is the way that they get the attention that they want ,,, you need not to pay any attention to his stupid behavior,,you know to be honest with you ,, it really hurts when they act that way,,,, but you cant show him how you really feel about it,,, for me the best way would be ,,, to really ignore him and act like nothing that he does bothers you,,
and when you do that ,, you will see ,, he wont like it ,,,
but you know what << 2 can play the game
I hope that everything works out well for you,
Good Luck
Leena

It is abusive. Silent treatment is normally only a tactic women use - and it is awful and childish when they do.
Actually I will use the word "detached". I really think he needs some therapy.

Men never grow up...but after time they start to shirnk...

It's control, emotional abuse and immature. It shows he is not capable of having a grown up discussion with his spouse. Emotionally constipated is a good term. I say get a good lawyer or good counselor. You shouldn't have to live your life this way.
Narcssistic. Read this link and see if it applies http://samvak.tripod.com/faq6.html

Some men just seem to clam up and stop the communication when they are 45 and over. It happens and dont think it is because he doesnt love you, he is just trying to get over the fact that he is getting older. Men have a hard time when they hit certain stages of life and it sounds to me that he is hitting another milestone. Age is tramatic for men as well as women so just try and understand but also dont give up. Sooner or later he will have a good conversation with you. Just make the effort and he will eventually come around.