Power Struggles in Marriages

In an article in the Spring 2009 edition of "Forbes Woman", authors Helaine Olen and Kiri Blakeley share an article about how couples are negotiating power in their marriages entitled My Turn, Your Turn.

The assumption that the woman in the relationship will sacrifice her aspirations for the benefit of the man's career is no longer a given. According to the article, 26% of wives earned more than their husbands in 2006 which was up from 22% in 1999. Though, the question of who is bringing home more bacon is only one item in the power struggle. Which partner handles more of the household chores, child responsibilities and "frying the bacon in the pan" are part of the new power struggle as well.

Per the article, the most successful couples have learned to "view themselves not as individuals in opposition but as partners in the same enterprise...working toward the goal of mutual fulfillment."

This issue has been one debated by both men and women continually over the pat ten years that we have been capturing their stories. Below, we feature some clips from the collection where entrepreneurs and business leaders discuss the impact of personal relationships in professional success.


"Who you marry has such a profound effect on the choices you get to make and the work life balance issues that you deal with." -Patricia Warner, President, Global-eze Inc


"You've got to be able to communicate with each other." - Debbie Mace, Hotel Architect



"The sacrifices that are a part of that career have to be something that the spouse buys into." - James Dicke, Chairman and CEO, Crown Equipment Corporation