SEX, POWER AND HUMAN RELATIONS: COLONIALISM OR ALLIANCE?
Self-assertion of women and their distinct gains in economic, political, and cultural life combined with sexual freedom have undermined the foundations of the traditional marriage and family. A great many people experiment with various forms of male-female coexistence ranging from permanent singlehood to various forms of cohabitation, trial marriage, and group marriage.
It is impossible at the present time to predict the future of male-female relationships. One thing is obvious: the traditional subjugation women in marriage which so closely resemble colonialism is dead. One may project a type of relationship based on a reevaluation of the distinct roles of males and females. Most probably the differences between men and women in economic, political, and cultural life will disappear as women enter all areas of life hitherto monopolized by men. With the growing self-respect and mutual respect of men and women the one-to-one relationship may prevail, for r man and no woman would accept a subservient role. This new type of relationship based î equal rights and equal expectations will resemble an alliance of two independent countries. Each country is free to lead its own life and follow its own interests, but at the same time each pledges full support to the well-being of its ally. Instead of the old contest of power within the colonial government that tries to exploit the colony, and the efforts of the colonic people to rebel against or to outsmart their rulers, a new relationship may evolve based on genuine friendship and cooperation.
The women’s movement against discrimination must encompass all aspects of life, such as the upbringing of children, equal opportunities in education, and equal rights in sexual life. So far only men have enjoyed sexual freedom be cause, biologically speaking, men are in a privileged position. When a man and a woman have sexual relations, only one of them can become pregnant. The pill must be regarded, therefore as a major step toward equal rights for all human beings paving the road toward a new era in human relations between men and women. If one of them transgresses these rights, this entitles the other person to transgress them, too. Usually, when people have a strong affection and respect for each other, they prefer to stay away from other involvements, and they keep their relationship clean and honest. Honesty is a two-way street and must be binding on both sides. The double standard is a remnant of the past era when women were enslaved to men. The new era of equal rights for both sexes must be based on genuine equal rights and equal respect for each other.
One need not, however, be naive and expect an era of perfect love and ideal relationships. Human beings compete with one another, and they often are involved in contests of power. This contest of power among various groups frequently includes the male-female relationship. Cooperation and competition are fundamental aspects of social life, and it would be impossible to exclude the male-female relationship from all other social patterns of interaction. But competition and cooperation are not discrimination.
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