"Assertiveness is not the only aspect in a relationship. Negotiating and complying are equally important, otherwise the problem would never get solved. This is an issue in many relationships. The partners are so busy fighting for control and defining their "roles" that nothing ever gets done."

Yes Micheal I agree with this statement.

And by your definition of a sense of Dominance in a relationship I am still trying to think a couple I know where the passive one does not resent it in some way. I have a very good friend and she is the Dominent one and her husband is the passive. But he pouts a lot and seems unhappy, he does comply but I am not sure he is all that happy Michael. And my friend is very domineering and gets the job done so to speak but she can be very selfish too at times. I can picture her and how she is very matter of fact, go out dear and make lots of money so we can go on vacation again. And I feel that she would have preferred a man that had a much higher standard of living as she would love nothing more than to be lavished with that big house with all the trappings of monetary and social wealth. So she plays up to her sister and her sister's husband who is among the mover and shakers so to speak. And I get the feeling that her husband is just in tow.

And I really like my friend we can go along time without seeing each other and just pick up like we have never been apart. I had a lot of fun with her when we were both single she was very forward, much more than me, actually I really wasnt forward, not the way she was I had different standards. And she was very daring sexually, I didn't care for her choices and she would often say, "he was just adaquate". She paid a price for that falandering, she got cervical cancer, the kind that is brought on by being sexually transmitted. But as I said, I didn't care for her choices in men. It will be interesting to see how her son turns out, she is a very strict mother as well and it isn't easy to pull the wool over her eyes. She is definitely not a dead beat and we really had some good times and I found her to be witty and challenging and foward thinking. But the last time we spoke she didn't sound all that happy with the hubby, she is actually bored sexually.

I don't really care much for Dr. Phil he can be a know it all that doesn't quite know it all. I don't watch his show if it is even still on. Probably because the issues he addressed where in pretty low scale, not very intelligent people. I tried to watch a couple of times but the antics of the people were just of no interest to me. Some of them seemed like they could almost go on the Jerry Springer show and those people were awful.
Who even watches that stuff anyway? Not to get off topic here.

Still cant think of a man and woman combination yet that would be good example of what you are describing.

Well interesting to see your point of view.

Open Eyes