the future

I believe we are at the beginning of the end of the idea of equal power sharing in intimate relationships. My experience has been that many people who have been trying equal power sharing are beginning to realize it does not work for them. And many people are looking for alternatives.

Many Christian, Muslim and orthodox Jewish groups encourage traditional marriage. But men and women who do not feel at home in these communities - because they are more comfortable with other forms of spirituality or because they are atheists or agnostics - have no community at the moment.

Many of these people are exploring lifestyles like BDSM, because the language and trappings of BDSM attracts them. But what they want, I believe, is not bondage, fetishes and role play but an intimate committed relationship in which women are respected as intelligent capable beings who choose to let the man in their life make the important decisions.

I believe it's time to admit that equal power sharing does not work in the present kind of society. It's time to return to traditional marriage, adapted to fit our current situation.