

{"id":32035,"date":"2019-01-08T04:34:43","date_gmt":"2019-01-08T04:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=32035"},"modified":"2026-03-20T07:02:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T07:02:38","slug":"dominant-partner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/dominant-partner\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Signs You are a Dominant Partner in a Controlling Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-32037 size-full\" title=\"Are You a Dominant Partner in a Controlling Relationship\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Are-You-a-Dominant-Partner-in-a-Controlling-Relationship.jpg\" alt=\"Are You a Dominant Partner in a Controlling Relationship\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the passage of time, it may seem like you are losing control of your relationship while your partner is the one<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/controlling-relationship-signs-you-must-know\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> controlling the relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The dominance of one partner can be healthy if it doesn&rsquo;t take a toxic turn.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it can create a major imbalance and get suffocating if your partner is way too dominant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But don&rsquo;t you stress over it?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-is-a-dominating-relationship\"><\/span><b>What is a dominating relationship?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A dominating relationship is where one partner is controlling the other partner because of their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/quizzes\/what-is-your-dominant-personality-trait\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dominant personality<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such a person tries to control every aspect of the relationship, which also includes how the other person reacts or feels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are-you-a-dominant-partner-in-a-controlling-relationship\"><\/span><b>Are you a dominant partner in a controlling relationship?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-32039 size-full\" title=\"Maintain your boundaries\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Maintain-your-boundaries.jpg\" alt=\"Maintain your boundaries\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what is the meaning of a dominating person? What does dominant mean in a relationship?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, being dominant is a personality trait of having a decisive role in the relationship. The dominant partner in relationships holds control, and they sanction most of the ongoings of the relationship.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>A marriage or relationship is never 50\/50. It is always 100\/100<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with both partners going the extra mile to help it last. Having a dominant role in a relationship comes with a lot of responsibility.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/how-to-get-out-of-a-controlling-relationship\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Get Out of a Controlling Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-types-of-dominant-relationships\"><\/span><b>5 types of dominant relationships<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are various types of dominant relationships based on who holds power in the relationship. Know them below:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>Dominants and subordinates<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a submissive and dominant marriage or relationship, there is always one dominant partner holding charge of things in the relationship while the other partner is the submissive one. Here, the roles are defined, and there is no relaxation of roles.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>Master &amp; slave relationship<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this type of relationship, one partner consensually submits to the other partner. This is different from the dominant and subordinate relationship because of the intense level of command by the dominant partner. The slave doesn&rsquo;t voice an opinion in such relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/dominant-and-subordinate-partners\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4 Glaring Benefits of Dominant-Subordinate Relationships<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>Male-led relationship<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In such relationships, the dominant partner is the man. Here, the woman plays a submissive role, and the man defines the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3>Female-led relationship<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As opposed to the male-led vanilla relationship, the female is the dominant partner or the leader of the relationship. She makes most of the decisions in the relationship and sets goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>Equals<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this kind of relationship, both parties hold equal power. They both make decisions and run the relationship. Being equal is one of the signs of a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.campbell.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/22122441\/characteristics-of-healthy-romantic-relationships.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthy relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and it leads to a long-lasting commitment.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-symptoms-of-a-dominant-partner-in-a-relationship\"><\/span><b>5 symptoms of a dominant partner in a relationship&nbsp;<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read on, as this article will guide you towards dominance in relationships. Below are some signs of dominance in a relationship:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. They are independent<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may not know this, but <\/span><b>independence is the fundamental sign that shows your partner that they do not control you.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They don&rsquo;t depend on their partner to take them for groceries or to complete other daily needs.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, they go out by themselves and get things done. This way, the partner will know that they are able enough to do the chores without them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, they go out with your friend circle whenever it is feasible and do not require their partner&rsquo;s permission for that.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/be-independent-in-a-relationship\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Is It Important to Be Independent in a Relationship?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>2. They seek what they deserve<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one crucial tip to having a dominant personality in relationships. Never, I repeat,<\/span><b> never settle for anything less than what you deserve<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think something is not going the way you want, walk away. It is the right thing to do and show the partner that you need to be treated only the right way.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. They do not stay quiet<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Didn&rsquo;t like something your partner did? Tell them! Being dominant in a relationship means confronting your companion. This is the way to go. Also, if there is a doubt about something, clear it up and be honest with them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Restrain from bottling up your emotions and feelings inside. Moreover, if you want something, ask them straight away and do not hesitate.<\/b><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Also Try: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quiz: Are You a Dominant or Submissive Partner?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>4. They act confident<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A dominating personality is upright and confident. They speak up for themselves. They do not let their partner have control over them.<\/span><b> If something goes wrong, they disclose it and show their partner that they are as equally powerful as them.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They never stay under their foot but climb up their heads. They do not hesitate to speak up about your needs. Also, do not hold back in any argument. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/communication\/open-communication-in-marriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Express your opinions freely<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. They do not always stay available<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They go out and enjoy life. They do not hang up on their friends only because their partner wants them with them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They show dominance by letting them know that <\/span><b>life does not only revolve around this relationship, but they have a life outside of it too.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They do not always need a partner in order to have fun. Some time alone is also vital.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-to-deal-with-a-dominating-partner\"><\/span><b>How to deal with a dominating partner?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-77798 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/how-to-deal-with-a-dominating-partner.jpg\" alt=\"Couple joking together\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At times, it can get extremely difficult to live with a dominant partner. Check out these steps on how to deal with a dominant partner:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Maintain your boundaries<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping boundaries is a crucial act in a relationship. One of the ways to tackle a dominant partner in a relationship is that you<\/span><b> do not always give in to your partner&rsquo;s demands because this will make you seem needy to your partner.&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For this, first, you need to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uky.edu\/sites\/www.uky.edu.hr\/files\/wellness\/images\/Conf14_Boundaries.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> know your own limits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, never let your partner cross any of it. They should know that they will not get off easily with you.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/boundaries-in-marriage\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 Must-Have Healthy Boundaries In Marriage<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>2. Stay strong<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Never let your emotions carry you away. <\/span><b>Speak up for what is best for you<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is important not always to take the emotional path but to stay firm and <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dartmouth.edu\/eap\/library\/comunic1.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">talk the matter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> out like a mature adult. This way, your partner will realize that you cannot be controlled emotionally.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Stand with your words<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the saying goes,&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;Actions speak louder than words.&rdquo;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Never backtrack from your words<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To handle a dominant partner, do what you said. If you promised something, fulfill it. <\/span><b>Your partner must be aware that you are honest with what you say.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You will appear as the weak one if you do not stay firm in your words.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Be honest<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, you need to be completely fair to your partner. If anything goes wrong at your end, tell them and apologize.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the video below, Jennah Dohms shares the need for true transparency and accountability. It leads to strength, and if we all practice this, it reduces the fear of the future.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hkUSjaGiGzk\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not hold it back as they may then find you hard to trust. Also, this may prevent your partner from having any advantages over you. So, always have the upper hand in your relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/transparency-in-a-relationship\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11 Secrets to Enhance Transparency in a Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrapping-up\"><\/span><b>Wrapping up<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being a dominant partner or being with such a partner can be tiresome, and it is fairly obvious. So, check for the signs of a dominant partner and make sure you create the right balance in the relationship with both partners having a say.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the passage of time, it may seem like you are losing control of your relationship while your partner is the one controlling the relationship. The dominance of one partner can be healthy if it doesn&rsquo;t take a toxic turn.&nbsp; However, it can create a major imbalance and get suffocating if your partner is way too dominant. But don&rsquo;t you stress over it? What is a dominating relationship? A dominating relationship is where one partner is controlling the other partner because of their dominant personality. Such a person tries to control every aspect of the relationship, which also includes how <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":675,"featured_media":32037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2502],"tags":[2608],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32035"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/675"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32035"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32035\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118615,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32035\/revisions\/118615"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32037"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}