The cultural model of dominance, rooted in patriarchy and individualism, undermines the success of modern romantic relationships.

“We live in a patriarchal and I'll go into that individualistic culture that does not cherish relationships.”

Patriarchy functions as an emotional survival strategy where women adopt specific roles to gain conditional protection, status, and belonging within an unequal system.

“If I accept these gender roles, support male authority, perform the kind of femininity that this system rewards, I may not get freedom, but I get protection, I get belonging, I get moral status, I get stability, I get to be adored by uh many men, and then, you know, other women will be jealous of me”