Relationship Conflict

Relationship Conflict

  • Submitted By: comebackdown
  • Date Submitted: 03/01/2009 11:42 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 584
  • Page: 3
  • Views: 1

In a case of conflict between an American couple, each person uses culture to defend themselves and to get their own way. Even though both parties are from the same culture, they are probably from differing backgrounds, resulting in different values and goals and emotional capacities. Power struggles between a male and a female range from everything including dating and driving, to sex and scheduling. Seeing as how both individuals are American, it’s easy to assume that each partner ultimately considers themselves and their own happiness as factors of the utmost importance. In our culture, dating has often become a way of self-service. People may choose to be in a relationship because it makes them feel desirable, efficient, powerful, and affirmed. In this scenario, the root of the relationship is based on how it makes each of the individuals feel. Of course, the best situation is when both partners feel empowered by a relationship, but often this is not the case. Some of the struggles for power in our culture are stemmed from the fact that we have historically been a patriarchal society. As an American female, I have been raised with qualities such as submission to male authorities, belief in the idea of a hero or a rescuer, and the denial of having a personal impact with my own life. Of course, this is all changing with the Women’s Rights Movement, but change is surely slow. Women are beginning to feel stronger and more capable, which gives them more power at both the micro and macro levelsof relationships and society. Boys are still socialized into believing that they should be leaders as to avoid being followers. Strength and the ability to control one’s emotions are admirable male qualities in our society. Although chivalry is a desired attribute, it is no longer necessary for a young man to possess; if he can’t be a lady’s man, he can still surely be a man’s man. Men are still popularly viewed as the more powerful and sexual half of the species, which...

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