The balance of power in relationships
The balance of power in relationships refers to how the power over the control and what is happening within the relationship is distributed between the two partners. For a relationship to be successful, the balance of power must be maintained evenly as it keeps both people happy and stops problems arising from the increased power of one partner. By doing this both people feel like the rights towards them and their obligations are being filled. Information about the balance of power is below.
Why is the balance of power important?
The balance of power is one of the most key aspects of a relationships and there are several reasons for this. The three most important reasons as to why it is important are outlined below.
1. When it is maintained it enables the relationship to stay enjoyable and fair.
The balance of power ensures that, when it is achieved, that there is not one person more in control of the relationship. However if it is not maintained then the person who is in less of a position of power becomes unhappy.When the balance of power is maintained however, both people enjoy the relationship more and this is why it is important to maintain it. If the relationship becomes unenjoyable due to a lack of balance in power for one person over a long period of time,it is likely that they will want to end the relationship.
2. The balance of power enables people to feel like they contribute and receive equally.
A balance in power means that both people have equal control of the relationship and can contribute and receive contributions from the other person. If both people feel this then they are more likely to be satisfied with being in the relationship and this is why it is important to maintain it. It is probably that if one person has more power then the person in less power receives less and contributes less, which distances them from the relationship and would most likely end in them exiting the relationship.
3. An even distribution of power prevents a stop of physical, emotional of financial abuse
It has been shown that relationships where one partner was in a position of more power, for whatever reason they may have more power, that it is more likely that a form of abuse will occur. This is because when one person has more power they are able to abuse this power and do what they want. This form of abuse unfortunately usually comes in the form of physical, emotional or financial abuse and the abuser is usually the man. The Australian Statistics Report on Domestic Violence reported that 23% of women had experienced some form of domestic violence. If the balance of power can be maintained within the relationship then it is more likely that abuse will not occur.
1. When it is maintained it enables the relationship to stay enjoyable and fair.
The balance of power ensures that, when it is achieved, that there is not one person more in control of the relationship. However if it is not maintained then the person who is in less of a position of power becomes unhappy.When the balance of power is maintained however, both people enjoy the relationship more and this is why it is important to maintain it. If the relationship becomes unenjoyable due to a lack of balance in power for one person over a long period of time,it is likely that they will want to end the relationship.
2. The balance of power enables people to feel like they contribute and receive equally.
A balance in power means that both people have equal control of the relationship and can contribute and receive contributions from the other person. If both people feel this then they are more likely to be satisfied with being in the relationship and this is why it is important to maintain it. It is probably that if one person has more power then the person in less power receives less and contributes less, which distances them from the relationship and would most likely end in them exiting the relationship.
3. An even distribution of power prevents a stop of physical, emotional of financial abuse
It has been shown that relationships where one partner was in a position of more power, for whatever reason they may have more power, that it is more likely that a form of abuse will occur. This is because when one person has more power they are able to abuse this power and do what they want. This form of abuse unfortunately usually comes in the form of physical, emotional or financial abuse and the abuser is usually the man. The Australian Statistics Report on Domestic Violence reported that 23% of women had experienced some form of domestic violence. If the balance of power can be maintained within the relationship then it is more likely that abuse will not occur.
How do you maintain the power?
There are several easy and stress free ways to maintain the balance of power in relationships. Most of them are preventative measures and should not used once there is an imbalance of power.
1. Communicate within the relationship.
By talking to your partner it is easy to avoid an imbalance of power. A meaningful conversation allows both partners to express their concerns about their position in the relationship and how the relationship is going. This in turn can help prevent an imbalance of power occurring as the talking can mean the partners can work together in order to stop the problem arising.
2. Make sure both people are aware of what the balance of power is and what can happen if it is not maintained.
If both people are aware of what the balance of power is then it is like anything else, the more knowledgeable about something someone is the more likely they can do it well. As well as this if both partners are aware of what the start of an imbalance in power is like and what the consequences are then they will find it easier to avoid. This is related to the first point as one partner could notice an imbalance of power was starting and they could then communicate this to the other partner.
3. Make sure both people contribute equally
When both partners contribute equally to the relationship it helps maintain the balance of power. The main reason for this is that when both people contribute it stops one person from abusing the lack of contribution and gaining more power in the relationship. Another positive of both people contributing equally in the relationship is that when both people do this they are more likely to feel satisfied with how their role within the relationship is and how the relationship is.
1. Communicate within the relationship.
By talking to your partner it is easy to avoid an imbalance of power. A meaningful conversation allows both partners to express their concerns about their position in the relationship and how the relationship is going. This in turn can help prevent an imbalance of power occurring as the talking can mean the partners can work together in order to stop the problem arising.
2. Make sure both people are aware of what the balance of power is and what can happen if it is not maintained.
If both people are aware of what the balance of power is then it is like anything else, the more knowledgeable about something someone is the more likely they can do it well. As well as this if both partners are aware of what the start of an imbalance in power is like and what the consequences are then they will find it easier to avoid. This is related to the first point as one partner could notice an imbalance of power was starting and they could then communicate this to the other partner.
3. Make sure both people contribute equally
When both partners contribute equally to the relationship it helps maintain the balance of power. The main reason for this is that when both people contribute it stops one person from abusing the lack of contribution and gaining more power in the relationship. Another positive of both people contributing equally in the relationship is that when both people do this they are more likely to feel satisfied with how their role within the relationship is and how the relationship is.
What are the consequences of not maintaing the balance of power?
1. One person may become unhappy or feel threatened in the relationship
If one person experiences less power in the relationship it is very likely that they will become unhappy with the relationship. As well as this, if the other person begins to abuse their power they will probably feel threatened by these actions. When this occurs and one person is unhappy with the relationship it may end to an end in the relationship because the person who is unhappy will no longer want to be in the relationships.
2. It may lead to abuse like physical or emotional etc
When there is an uneven distribution of power one person is put into a position where they have more control over the relationship. If this person abuses the power, which is likely if they have gained the power in the first place, then various forms of abuse will ensue. These forms of abuse can include physical, emotional or financial (as stated before). If abuse like this happens then the person abusing can face legal issues and the other partner will most likely leave the relationship.
3. The partner with less power will leave the relationship
The previous two points which can be the main consequences of the balance of power not being maintained eventually lead to the end in the relationship. This is because the person with less power will be unhappy or may be subject to abused and nobody wants to experience this.
If one person experiences less power in the relationship it is very likely that they will become unhappy with the relationship. As well as this, if the other person begins to abuse their power they will probably feel threatened by these actions. When this occurs and one person is unhappy with the relationship it may end to an end in the relationship because the person who is unhappy will no longer want to be in the relationships.
2. It may lead to abuse like physical or emotional etc
When there is an uneven distribution of power one person is put into a position where they have more control over the relationship. If this person abuses the power, which is likely if they have gained the power in the first place, then various forms of abuse will ensue. These forms of abuse can include physical, emotional or financial (as stated before). If abuse like this happens then the person abusing can face legal issues and the other partner will most likely leave the relationship.
3. The partner with less power will leave the relationship
The previous two points which can be the main consequences of the balance of power not being maintained eventually lead to the end in the relationship. This is because the person with less power will be unhappy or may be subject to abused and nobody wants to experience this.
Conclusion on the balance of power
This page clearly shows why the balance of power is important and why both partners must be proactive in maintaing it in order to stop the consequences that may follow and a possible end in the relationship.
External Links
http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Statistics_final.pdf
http://askjulie.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/your-relationship-power-balance/
http://ashleyzacharias.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/the-balance-of-power-in-romantic-relationships/
http://askjulie.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/your-relationship-power-balance/
http://ashleyzacharias.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/the-balance-of-power-in-romantic-relationships/