Why do some men believe sharing weaknesses with a woman will be used against them?

I’ve always believed that a relationship should be a space where both partners feel comfortable being themselves, without fear of judgment. My partner and I have been together for years, and I’ve never once thought of using his struggles against him, because I see it as my role to support him through them.

I remember when he lost his job unexpectedly. He came home frustrated and quiet, clearly overwhelmed. At first, he didn’t want to talk about it, probably because he felt the pressure to always appear strong. I didn’t push him, just let him know I was there.

Eventually, he opened up about his worries, the stress of providing, the uncertainty of what came next. To me, those weren’t weaknesses, just real emotions that anyone would have. Instead of judging him, I helped him refocus and reminded him that one setback didn’t define him.

Some men think being vulnerable will make a woman lose respect for them. But in a healthy relationship, it’s the opposite, honesty and trust make the bond even stronger. So why is it still so hard for some men to believe that?