There is a pervasive tendency to believe that romantic partners who have unequal levels of social status, economic resources, age difference, ethnic origin, educational attainment, political affiliation, family background, religious beliefs, or cultural values cannot be compatible. This may lead to a disproportionate amount of control being exerted by one party over another in terms of decision making, resource allocation, time management, physical space, financial planning, or personal behavior.
A man who has more money than his female partner may feel entitled to make all the decisions about how they spend it and to what extent she can express her opinions or desires regarding expenditures. Conversely, a woman who earns less than her male counterpart may feel like she needs to defer to his judgment out of fear of losing him or being perceived as unreasonable. The power imbalance can become even more acute when sexual dynamics are involved. One person may dominate or manipulate the other into having sex or doing things they don't want to do while the other feels too scared or ashamed to speak up for themselves. In some cases, this dynamic leads to emotional abuse, psychological trauma, or domestic violence. It also creates an atmosphere where the weaker party feels like they have no voice or choice in the relationship and must acquiesce to their partner's whims. This kind of situation can cause serious damage to self-esteem, mental health, trust, and intimacy between two people.
The relational power imbalance becomes magnified when sexual dynamics enter the equation because it is often seen as something that should only occur within certain boundaries set by society at large (e.g., marriage) or accepted norms within individual relationships (e.g., monogamy). When these rules or expectations are violated, one person feels like they have greater control over another.
A married couple where one partner cheats on the other will likely experience increased tension due to feelings of betrayal, jealousy, insecurity, anger, resentment, or guilt - all factors which contribute to further destabilizing any sense of balance between them. Similarly, if one partner refuses to engage in activities they dislike but agrees to anyway out of fear or obligation from their counterpart, then there is an inherent unevenness in terms of decision making ability and autonomy in the dynamic. As such, the more vulnerable person may feel more reliant on the other to meet their needs and desires while feeling less able to express those preferences freely without fearing retribution or rejection. The result is a power differential that can lead to manipulation, abuse, and even violence depending on how it plays out between two individuals.
How do relational power imbalances become magnified when sexual dynamics are involved?
Relationships with unequal power dynamics can be challenging, especially when they involve sex. This is because sex often serves as a symbol of dominance and subordination, creating further distinctions between partners. When one partner has more power than another, they may feel entitled to use that power to control or manipulate their partner during sexual activity.