Why do men care about what their ex wives think of them?

Question

If a man is in a commited relationship with another woman, why would he care what his ex wife thinks of him? Would his ex wife hating him affect how his children think of him? does it really "rub off"?

Answer 1

don't know, never have cared what my ex-husband thinks, about anything :)

Answer 2

You say the same about women who care what their ex husbands think. It definitly rubs off on the kids if the parent is constantly bickering with the other parents and putting her/him down. If the kids don't spend enough time with both parents, then one can turn the kids on the other parent. I think that alot of why divorced people care about what their exes think is because they want to show their ex that they can be happier without them then the other can be. It's childish.

Answer 3

Would guilt make him still care about what his ex thinks of him? What does he feel quilty about?

Kids bring a whole new dimension to divorce. Each person has to at least be nice to each other. I think a person can worry that their ex is badmouthing them in front of their children and influencing them. I believe that just because two adults fail at being married to each other they should not fail at being parents. Being bitter and twisted is a waste of energy! Every child has a right to be proud of each of their parents - no matter if the parents were hopeless husbands and wives.

Answer 4

That depends. Sometimes it's a revenge thing. He wants her to be sorry that they're no longer together. Sometimes because it causes less stress with the dynamics of custody and visitation if she sees him in a favorable light. If his ex hates him, that just usually cause undue stress on the children. Children want to protect their parent's feelings, and it's hard for them to hear one put down the other.