The Power Dilemma of Women

Recently a young woman patient of mine, one of the first of her sex to attain an M.B.A., related the story of her first job interview. Her interviewer, an executive in one of the largest corporations, concluded the meeting by asking if she objected to his asking her something personal. In contrast to her present attitude, she acquiesced. “Tell me, dear,” he requested, leaning forward and smiling at her, “do you like to dominate men?” “Only in personal relationships,” she replied. In my experience, power-motivated women are not aggressive. Despite male fantasies, they are not out to conquer or devour men.

The root word of power is potere: “to be able.” Webster has six primary definitions of power: (1) ability to do or act; (2) the capacity for producing an effect; (3) control or domination over others; (4) influence through prestige; (5) delegated right or privilege; and (6) influence through authority, strength or resources.

Although the women's liberation movement began more than a decade ago, along with the Civil Rights Act enforcing equal employment opportunities, there has not been a profound change in women's economic status. Recent statistics indicate that although women comprise 39 percent of the labor force, less than 5 percent of those earning more than $10,000 per year are women. At higher salary levels – $25,000 and over – only 2.3 percent are women. There is legislation for equal opportunity, but there cannot be legislation for equal access to opportunity. Even more significant, laws cannot guarantee that people who have traditionally been discriminated against will manifest the ability to utilize whatever access to opportunity does exist. All the strengths that women have will remain untapped if they do not have the power to use them effectively. To do this, they must gain authority as well as economic, political, and social power; at present, they have almost none of these.

Michael Korda commented that “now that sex is a subject that can be