Truthfully, even the dominating partner is not happy in such a relationship. Domination often leads to discomfort. Most people who hold more power than they should usually have a hunch they’re taking advantage. The submissive partner might be unwilling to voice opinions or present new ideas, or express their true thoughts and feelings, and that can make the relationship boring, even frustrating, for the dominating partner. Unfortunately, a dominating partner may not realize that what they lose in the quality of their relationship is not made up for by the benefits of being in charge.
Dealing with power issues in marriage isn’t easy. As part of the problem, some couples might not be aware that a power struggle exists. Partners who aren’t getting along might believe they’re just not suited for each other when in reality they’re actually battling for status. For example, couples who fight about money might think the issue is about how it’s spent, but in fact they’re fighting about the right of each partner to spend it.
