Relationships can be hard, there is no denying it: whether it’s navigating the anxieties of a situationship, exploring our own attachment styles or wondering when is the right time to break up, dating can come with a lot of baggage. But for some women in heterosexual relationships, things are even more complicated due to the uneven power dynamics between men and women which linger to this day, impacting intimate romantic connections through things like weaponised incompetence, the romance gap or unequally distributed emotional labour. Is there an alternative? Well, some individuals think female-led relationships are the key.
Female-led relationships are a form of heterosexual dynamic which operates on the premise that, historically, men have been the dominant individuals in relationships. This means that, due to social privilege or convention, it may have been men who were expected to make the first move, make significant decisions such as where a couple lives, or be the ‘breadwinner’ in a marriage. Nowadays, relationships are a lot more equal, but there are still issues such as uneven financial privilege and gendered expectations which may disadvantage women.
With that in mind, female-led relationships seek to create an opposing model. Rather than aiming for equality between a male and female partner, they propose a situation where women take the role which has traditionally been occupied by men in intimate relationships.
There are varying degrees of femaleled relationship which consensually give different levels of power over to the woman: from total control to a subtler dominance. For some, the practice is linked to kink and power play dynamics in the BDSM community.
This story is from the March - April 2023 edition of Cosmopolitan India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March - April 2023 edition of Cosmopolitan India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How To Make The Most Of The Meta-Universe...And Thrive Unscathed In It
Natasha Jog-Head, Public Policy, Instagram, Facebook India (Meta)-lists the company's safety measures, and tells us how to make our favourite apps work in our favour.
What's Dating Like In 2024?
Here's some swipe right moments that caught Cosmo intern Serchen Chokyi off guard.
Is Making Yourself Sad The Ultimate Happiness Hack?
Dopamine fasts are being touted as the cure to bad habits and low mood...But does the science really stack up? Morgan Fargo puts it to the test.
Do Women Make Better Leaders Than Men?
Psychologists, women entrepreneurs, their male counterparts, and a human resources expert weigh in.
Living the dream
From planning their start-up and building the right team to successfully marketing their brand, these entrepreneurs will teach you a thing or two about taking care of a business.
The new masculine
Gender is a construct; but one that invariably factors into attraction. In a 2024 world where the scope of gender is more multifarious than ever, what does it mean to be 'masculine'?
I was sober, now I'm not.I feel...weird about it?
After more than a year of being teetotal, Jennifer Savin found herself with a glass of red. Her emotions have been *complex*
VEDANG RAINA WIRED TO WIN
Actor Vedang Raina opens up to Cosmo India Editor Pratishtha Dobhal about his love for music and cinema, his passion for the arts, and why he chooses to live in the moment.
Pixels to pearls
Is 3D printing the next big thing in the jewellery landscape?
One jacket, four ways
Cosmo India challenged top-tier celebrity stylists to turn muse for us as they showcased their unmatched personal style with one common designer ensemble. Class in session, people!