Relationships

4 Pages 957 Words

Relationships:
Who’s in Control
When it comes to relationships, the aspect of control can be put into two categories, one being complimentary and the other being symmetrical (Verderber, K. & Verderber, R., 2004). This holds true for all types of relationships. This paper will focus on preschool, marriage and workplace relationships.
As stated above, the control aspect of a relationship can be viewed as complimentary or as symmetrical. A complimentary relationship can be defined as one person in the relationship agreeing to let the other person have greater power, where as in a symmetrical relationship no one person agrees on who has greater power. In a symmetrical relationship, usually one person will claim power and the other person will challenge it (Verderber, K. & Verderber, R., 2004).
The control aspect of a relationship is not something that happens in a single meeting or a few interactions. This aspect of a relationship becomes determined through many exchanges over time. Complimentary relationships are usually viewed as having less controversy because the person with less power will usually not convey any disagreement. Although there may be a bit more controversy in a symmetrical relationship, the power is more likely to be evenly shared with the improbability of one person controlling every situation (Verderber, K. & Verderber, R., 2004).
Although we teach our children very early in life how to share and work together, it is through their arguing that they are able to demonstrate any power or status. Watzlawick, Beavin and Jackson (1967) claim that both complimentary and symmetrical relations in children are important functions in their relationships and that children need to learn to cope with both roles, just as adults have to (Meyer, 1992).
Some nonverbal ways that children use to gain power include invading another’s play area or standing up while others are sitting. It seems as though personal space ...