What it Means to Be a Man! From a Rabbi:

Your wife speaks harshly to you, but deep down she's so sensitive and loving. This is a very common struggle. Their wives sometimes they use tough words, scathing remarks, and men often get very flustered. They disassociate. They run away emotionally. They become aggressive. They go into fight or flight. You have to remember that very, very often this is your wife consciously or unconsciously testing your masculinity. Don't be afraid. She wants to see a present, powerful, strong, confident, masculine leader. Don't become frail. Don't escape into avoidance and shame. Don't become defensive. You don't have to be aggressive, and you don't have to run away. Show up, remain present and loving, and very soon she'll melt into your arms.