Power Sex
Power is the better aphrodisiac, but, as Maureen Dowd discovers, it only works for men:
I'd been noticing a trend along these lines, as famous and powerful men took up with young women whose job it was was to care for them and nurture them in some way: their secretaries, assistants, nannies, caterers, flight attendants, researchers and fact-checkers.
John Schwartz of The New York Times made the trend official in 2004 when he reported: "Men would rather marry their secretaries than their bosses, and evolution may be to blame." A study by psychology researchers at the University of Michigan, using college undergraduates, suggested that men going for long-term relationships would rather marry women in subordinate jobs than women who are supervisors. Men think that women with important jobs are more likely to cheat on them. There it is, right in the DNA: women get penalized by insecure men for being too independent.
John Schwartz of The New York Times made the trend official in 2004 when he reported: "Men would rather marry their secretaries than their bosses, and evolution may be to blame." A study by psychology researchers at the University of Michigan, using college undergraduates, suggested that men going for long-term relationships would rather marry women in subordinate jobs than women who are supervisors. Men think that women with important jobs are more likely to cheat on them. There it is, right in the DNA: women get penalized by insecure men for being too independent.
I was surprised by some of my relationships here, with three different women, when all of them stated that their wish was to have somebody to take care of them. As S put it, she only wanted to take care of the house, have kids and a husband to make the money and work so she could relax.
I was shocked! Where were the liberated women? Where the independent? Was it just the cultural difference, or was I under a wrong impression?
As it turns out, power is still attractive, and women, in increasing numbers, are seeking that stability and security that many years of working and striving to be equal, apparently took from them.
Opinions, please?
Comments
I may have my facts wrong, but my recollection is that in her later years, Georgia O'Keefe took in a young man who showed up at her door, becoming her assistant and then her lover.
One more chapter in an exceptional life, I guess.
Posted by: Prentiss Riddle![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.confusedkid.com/primer/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 8, 2005 5:30 PM
I think it has to do with economics. At the same time which we as women have found equality in much of the western industrial world, so has this world found complete economic freedom. This freedom ,this liquid modernity lacks any sort of stability. A person can no longer be assured that their position will not be outsourced or simply eliminated at any given time, for no other reason than that he/she as the middle class worker or manager is pushing for greater returns on their mutual funds. So when this cycle is becoming more and more evident in the daily lives and livelihoods of average people, then why wouldn't so many women seek stability and security in the oldest of institutions. I personally can't imagine wanting to be defined by this institution, but the security that comes with it is very appealing. ps: i had fun meeting you and dancing with you @ the hafla
Posted by: Casey | December 4, 2006 3:17 PM