What are sexual relationships?
Sexual relationships refer to close, physical, emotional, and/or romantic connections that involve more than one individual. They can take place within marriages, dating, friendship, family members, coworkers, acquaintances, etc. In these contexts, people experience various levels of closeness and intimacy, which include communication, trust, respect, support, affection, loyalty, love, attraction, desire, pleasure, etc. Depending on their specific circumstances, participants may be in exclusive or non-exclusive arrangements, heterosexual or homosexual, monogamous or polyamorous, temporary or long-term, casual or committed, etc. Sexual relationships require mutual consent, reciprocity, responsibility, and vulnerability.
How do sexual relationships alter the balance of power between individuals?
In most cases, sexual relationships change the distribution of power between partners, particularly if they depend professionally on each other.
When a boss has sex with an employee, it creates an imbalance of authority and subordination that affects job performance, promotion, advancement, compensation, recognition, and reputation. This is especially problematic when there is no clear separation between private life and work environment, and both parties risk being fired for violating company policies. On the other hand, some couples maintain professional boundaries despite their romantic involvement, allowing them to flourish personally and professionally without compromising their duties.
Sexual relationships redefine roles and responsibilities, changing how people interact at home and work.
How does assertiveness influence sexual relationships?
Assertiveness refers to the ability to express one's needs, desires, thoughts, feelings, opinions, wishes, goals, expectations, etc., in a confident and direct manner, while taking into account others' perspectives and avoiding manipulation or coercion. In sexual relationships, assertiveness involves communicating openly about preferences, limits, intimacy levels, boundaries, risks, safety, pleasure, sensitivity, satisfaction, etc., without imposing or forcing one's will. It requires honesty, transparency, respect, empathy, and self-awareness. If one partner feels overpowered, dominated, exploited, or pressured by the other, it may damage trust, loyalty, commitment, equality, respect, understanding, compatibility, mutuality, etc. Therefore, effective communication is crucial to achieve healthy balance and harmony in sexual relationships.
How do sexual relationships alter the balance of vulnerability and assertiveness between individuals who depend on each other professionally?
The power dynamic in professional relationships can be affected by sexually intimate relationships because it creates an imbalance in terms of power dynamics as well as levels of emotional connection. Sexual involvement often leads to an increase in emotional attachment which may lead to increased dependence. This can create an uneven balance where one individual becomes more dependent than the other, leading to potential exploitation from the more powerful party.