BrianC said:

@Athol_Kay‌ I just got back from my metabolic doctor, and your bread pudding has a lot to answer for.

You have to mate guard because the specific guy is a threat and women want to be protected and claimed.

You have to mate because eventually if unopposed, his game will attract your woman.

You have to mate guard because "boyfriend destroying tactics" are going to be very easily in play.

You have to mate guard because way more often than not, it makes her wet for you.

You have to mate guard because everyone else watching you NOT mate guard thinks you're retarded and weak, so it increases the likelihood of other men deciding to make a play for your wife.

You have to mate guard because when the specific guy has been noted to make overt plays for your wife, it's because he's already likely made covert plays for your wife, she hasn't  accepted them, but she also hasn't fully shut them down, and now it's moving into a more public arena to test out whether or not you will mate guard.

You have to mate guard because courtship ever ends, and the guy that makes the move and displays the strongest dominant presence, gets the girl.

Also like to point out that taking space from each other during arguments as a de-escalation method is basically a recommended practice by *everyone* in the mental health / helping professions... and endlessly by myself as well.