What are some examples of power dynamics in an intimate relationship?

[surgent]

[experience]

It's not always straightforward or balanced, and it can really vary from one couple to another. Here are a few examples:

Financial Power: This is a big one. Imagine one partner earns significantly more than the other. They might have more say in where the couple lives, what vacations they take, or even what restaurant they dine at on Friday nights. It's like when one person holds the remote during a Netflix binge; they kind of control the viewing experience.

Emotional Influence: Sometimes, one partner might have more emotional sway in the relationship. They're the one whose moods set the tone for the day or whose feelings end up being the focus more often. It's like being the DJ at a party; your music choice influences the whole vibe.

Decision Making: In some relationships, one person tends to make more of the decisions, from small things like what's for dinner to big life choices like where to move or when to have kids. It's kind of like being the captain of a ship; where they decide to steer, the ship goes.

Social and Family Dynamics: This involves who has more influence over social engagements or family matters. Maybe one partner's family gets priority during holidays, or one person's friends are the main social circle for the couple. It's like when you're playing a team sport, and one player seems to call the shots more often.

Physical Dynamics: This can be about intimacy, like who initiates it more or has preferences that tend to be prioritized. It can also be about personal space, like whose items take up more room in the shared living space. Think of it as a dance; sometimes one partner leads more than the other.

[Nikki1989]

Many men try to be controlling, bless them.

[dynamicyandere]

I don’t know why this hasn’t been mentioned yet, but some couples have a designated leader.


It would be either partner (F/M, M/F, M/M, F/F) but some couples have it where there is one designated leader who makes decisions (at least major ones) and the other partner is happy to support them.


This can be on a spectrum from mild to extreme.


It can also be categorical, like Person A takes charge of all things having to do with home repair and auto repair, while Person B takes charge of all things design and decor.


When done consensually, this can be quite harmonious and healthy.


But, there are many relationships, that were initially 50/50 (in terms of power balance), and then one person non-consensually tries to force control (overtly or covertly) over a particular category or even the whole relationship, and if that was not agreed upon prior, it will make the other partner miserable because it’s not what they signed up for.


Someone who’s fulfilled with 50/50 will pair best with someone else that’s fulfilled with 50/50.


Overreaching will never end well. If someone wants more power in a relationship, that expectation should be set before getting into a relationship. Otherwise, it’ll feel like a manipulative bait-and-switch.

[Sonorous]

One could be that a female knows that she can get away with hitting her partner so she does it frequently & maybe even to extreme degrees. She knows she has more social power. More people will believe her first since she's the physically weaker sex.

[veganrogue]

These are the three most common examples of power dynamics in relationships:

Demand/Withdrawal - One partner feels they are not getting their needs met, and the other is ignoring those needs.

Distancer/Pursuer - One partner is more invested than the other

Fear/Shame - When one or both partners use emotional pain against each other.

[Anonymous]

Well usually one is the leader. My ex had the finale say and if I ever attacked him he would spank me. Which by the way is painful.. but it shows he was the leader and I follow him.

[Enginn]

Its men's nature to take power. If you dont know that she will probably cheat on you. I'm on the side of working together. Its a partnership after all. She does her part I do mine. If we both make each other happy thats all that matters.

[RevengeofLadyJ]

Men are stronger than women so they can appear dominant

[musclesimp]

I agree I have huge muscular tissues wrapped around my humerus bone.

[musclesimp]

Bones* I have two of them if I memorized it correctly.

[musclesimp]

You could really tell by the asker's profile picture that she's strong.

[electromagnetic]

He cooks, I clean. He sweeps, I mop.

[loladevine]

When one has blackmail