A Man cannot be in love with a woman he doesn't respect. Respect Yourself, respect yourself. He can date her (informally and non-exclusively), sleep with her etc. but the relationship will never reach the next level. It will remain stagnant and ultimately die.

Here is how to earn your man's respect.

Have dignity and pride in who you are: In other words if you want a man to respect you, you have to respect yourself first. This includes everything from having a backbone and being smart to standing up for yourself and calling him out on his bs.

Have a mind of your own: Cultivate your own interests and don't be afraid to speak your mind. If for example he takes you to a movie that you didn't enjoy and then asks your for your opinion tell him the truth.

If you didn't like it tell him so and explain why. Don't neglect to let him know that you enjoyed his company though and appreciate the effort.

Have your own tastes, your own likes and dislikes: Never be a yes girl. If he asks you for example what kind of food you like, never say "I like whatever you like.

"You must have favourites and if you want him to get to know, respect and like you for who you are never pretend to be someone you're not.

You can't pretend to be someone you're not for the duration of your relationship.

Sooner or later the real you will emerge and he may be shocked enough to decide he is really better off with someone else.

Don't strive to be perfect and conform to some bogus societal standard of beauty and proper love etiquette: Instead, be interesting. Cultivate your own interests and always be aware of yourself and the world around you.

Be able to carry on a conversation. . . don't be a ditz. Carry yourself with confidence. You're beautiful, smart, sexy and one of a kind. No other woman out there is exactly like you.

That is precisely why he's dating you and not someone else.

Don't try too hard: If he tells you he has a preference for perm hair, don't go out and perm your natural hair. He mentions he likes his woman in heels don't immediately throw out all your flats.

If he is an environmentalist don't become a die hard tree hugger. If he is into extreme sports don't claim that you too are an adrenaline junkie if you're not.

In most instances trying too hard to please makes you a pushover.

Be happy: Yes, some women when they start dating a man are unable to be happy unless they are with him. Have your own life, be happy and satisfied with who you are.

He should never be the primary motivator for everything that you do. Always take care of yourself and he'll want to help you take care of you too.