How our rights and responsibilities affect the balance of power in relationships
Any connection we have with other people is called a relationship. Our relationships are a vital part of being human, as they teach us about ourselves and the world around us, as well as developing our need to share things with others.
Power is the ability to do or make something happen. All relationships involve power. A positive relationship will result from people having a balance in power. When one person has greater power than another, it becomes a negative relationship and may result in unhappiness, insecurity or abuse. In order to ensure that the power in a relationship is balanced, both people in the relationship must make sure they understand their rights and responsibilities in the relationship. With every relationship there are certain rights and responsibilities. Your rights are how you can expect to be treated by others and what you deserve in a relationship. Your responsibilities are how you should treat the other person in a relationship. Fulfilling your rights and responsibilities in a relationship is what leads to a healthy, balanced relationship. Some examples of the rights and responsibilities of individuals in a relationship are listed below.
Rights
· Have your opinions, needs, values, emotions, etc. respected by your partner.
·Not be pressured into sexual activity you do not want.
·Be told the truth by the other person in the relationship.
Responsibilities
· In a healthy relationship it is important that you respect your partner’s feelings, friends, activities, and opinions. It is unrealistic to expect or demand that that he or she have the same priorities, goals, and interests as you.
·Not pressure your partner into sexual activities he or she does not want.
·Communicate openly with your partner, including telling the truth even if it's difficult. Effective communication can lead to positive and rewarding relationships. Ineffective communication can lead to unfulfilled relationships and often damage them beyond repair.
The power of certain individuals in a relationship depends strongly on the context or status of the relationship at the time. For example, if a couple are deciding whether or not to have sex, the female in the relationship will ultimately make the decision as she is the one who is risking the most, biologically. She could be impregnated and then dumped by her partner, and left with the burden of have to provide for her baby on her own. In this situation, the male in the relationship must fulfill his responsibilities in the relationship by respecting the female’s rights, which in this case, would to not be pressured into sexual activity.