RUNNING HEAD: DOMINANT AND SUBORDINANT ROLES

Dominant and Subordinate Roles Nicole Powell Georgia State University

DOMINANT AND SUBORDINANT ROLES

Upon the recent enlightenment of the vastly different roles in which people take on either dominate or subordinate roles I was encouraged to evaluate when and how I have participated in similar roles. I immediately recalled my days as a solider where I encountered the most orders to do things against my wishes making me feel like a slave to their systems. As the wife of Sgt Powell, who wore his dominate head-of-household title as a badge of honor and a true domination which created the strongest most detrimental lack of control I have thus far ever experienced as I was unjustly incarcerated. These events allowed me to see that when I was powerless so were my children, gently flowing in waves I created in our ocean. When things seemed to going my way I realized I was bestowed extra benefits as I was complimented on my youthful body and beauty that some others did not receive. Even though I was facing financial hardships having a job placed me at a more advantageous place than that of many around me. As a solider I was subordinate on a ranking system. The Drill Sergeants, First Sergeant, Commanders and Lieutenants who had a higher rank or more years in service held the dominant roles. I felt voiceless like a slave when I had no control over how my days would turn out. On a whim these higher ranking personnel could command whole units (about 100-200+) or whole companies (about 75-100+) of individuals to stay at work for extra hours, do extra physical training or go on weeklong missions. In the military my opinion, needs, feelings, health and even the well being of my children were of no concern or regard. Most of the stereotypes and prejudices I encountered were because I was a woman. The men thought women were lazy, weak, received special favors or got out of hard work because they were girls. I feel the military practices very closely resemble slavery but receives a pass and becomes invisible because after their initial brain washing forces the solider into submission the solider acculturates their family with these practices and they are all segregated to post and cities that perpetuate power through titles. There needs to be a change that grants respect and concern for all individuals. As a wife I was in the subordinate role to that of the head of the house hold. I felt powerless when he exerted his control over the money, the car, the plans and the all over mood of the home. He felt I belonged to him because he was feeding, clothing and housing me regardless of my contributions. He was very unwavering, demanding and unappreciative. When I did not do what he wanted me to do he would yell, scream, not speak to me for days at a time, or not come home to punish me. It seemed like he was incapable of feeling pain bout he was an expert at causing me so much. Just like many other women I realized I was a victim of verbal, emotional and eventually physical abuse. These situations are invisible because everything happens behind closed doors and containment walls. As a prisoner you will be a subordinate to everyone outside the cell doors and inside the jail/prison. The police officers guards and court officials treat people inhumanly. As a prisoner my possessions were confiscated and I was immobilized with handcuffs and locks. I felt powerless when I could no longer protect my children. Feeling my children would be left at the mercy of the environment with only the little bit of training theyd had up till that point with fear

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and confusion because they would have no idea where theyre mother was left me inconsolable. A common misconception and stereotype is that all prisoners are criminals and have done something wrong. I was arrested for a broken taillight citation which turned into a warrant for arrest. The assumptions that the criminals are the ones behind the bars should be redirected to the police officers on the other side because the crimes of these officers in power are invisible as they change their behavior and demeanor as the exit one society and enter another. Mothers are the dominate position over their children are the subordinates. The joys of motherhood are educating, nurturing and receiving unconditional love. The struggles are ensuring their safety in such a dangerous world and providing adequate, especially if theyre single mothers. Being in this dominant role forces you to give up your independence to share your life, work harder, consider more and take on extra responsibilities. The power of parents lies in the powerless of children. Children have to be taught and given everything because they live in a society where they cant get it themselves. Adults drive the cars to go make the money that allows the purchase of food, clothing and shelter that children are not able or allowed to do. This power is exerted in homes and societies that have rules that create limitations. Media is the biggest contributing factor that makes being young, thin, and attractive a dominant group with its exclusive acknowledgement. This group is privileged with compliments, popularity, suitors, and stores full of clothes while older, thicker or less attractive people (in comparison to run way models) receive the cold shoulder, or little sections of a department store sometime of to the side or far back. Some benefits I have being a part of this groups are receiving things free especially when out on a date which could happen often and even getting jobs. However being young, thin and attractive has held me back from getting some jobs and placed me in vulnerable positions that lead to sexual harassment. Though I face poverty I am in the dominant group of the employed, which saves my children and I from sickness, hunger and homelessness. The struggles of working in Atlanta is facing the traffic every day, the current economic state of the nation and letting an inadequate school system have a lot of control of our children most influential years. However the unemployed who are subordinate to this group face far more taxing struggles. It is easy for someone who is unemployed to be denied all the tools necessary to change their position. Things like phone service, business attire, access to the internet and transportation can be turned off, repossessed or unobtainable as soon as a persons funds are gone. I have the power of purchase which allows me make a call, take a hot shower, surf the net and pick up and drive where I please when I please. Though I believe everyone deserves these basic necessities the laws of the land promote and enforce otherwise. Through this reflection I am able to be grateful for the privileges I have and recognize the less fortunate. It opens my eyes and my mind to start viewing and creating ways to bridge these gaps. Its unfortunate that based on a title, role, or feature someone can lose the respect every human being deserves. It is imperative to uphold the value of respect and common consideration.