Post and run warning. I thought this was intriguing but haven't got the energy to 'host' a thread although I'll come back to it if other people are interested.
I heard it in a talk or something, then asked my male friends if it was true for them. They all said yes, including the gay one (in love with a man, obvs). I said that must be difficult and they all practically melted with relief at being allowed to say so!
Difficult because humans aren't gods, they turn out to be messy - and then the fall from the pedestal begins. I'd honestly thought this was a teenage thing, one of those loveable mistakes that get corrected as life goes on. My friends are all over 50, though.
I've been hopelessly in love and/or lust many times but, no matter how besotted I was, I've never seen a partner as more than a person. More than they were, sure, but I've never worshipped anyone. It must be horrid to feel that way and then be forced to try and readjust your perceptions or feelings.
If it's generally true, I'd say it explains a lot of weird male behaviour over the course of relationships. Is it an unreasonable statement, do you think?