Identify situations in personal relationships that reflect power struggles.

Personal relationships usually mean your relationships with your friends and family. But it can also mean relationships that you have that you consider personal. In families, there can be siblings that argue excessively. No matter what they argue about, it displays a power struggle because they are fighting for power, for control. Another example of power struggles can be in relationships that include boyfriends and girlfriends. Couples can either get along or they can get into lots of arguments. There can be instances where they fight over nothing. Maybe it’s over who should buy dinner or over who should pay for the movie tickets. Whatever it is, they are arguing over power; they are struggling to see who should have control.

Give examples of personal experiences of power struggle situations and what was the outcome?

Usually power struggles occur between siblings, but since I’m an only child that doesn’t happen. Instead, I have power struggles with my parents. An example of one situation is when I was a child and I wanted something. Usually my parents would buy it for me, but when they didn’t I would have tantrums. And if my parents got that item for me, I wouldn’t share. I would just keep it to myself and have power over it. But then I learned to share my possessions and I had the power to do that.

When and how do you use power in interactions with others?

When interacting with others, communicating by talking is usually what occurs. When talking, we are using our powers to have a discussion. We also have the power to do whatever we want during that discussion. We can invalidate people, hurt, insult, compliment, and make people feel appreciated with interactions. Everyone has the power do to this, and our interactions can change the way we are and what people think of us. We use power in interactions all the time, but it depends on you to choose how you use those powers in interactions.

Where do you see or have seen power struggles occurring in your surroundings? (neighborhood, community, local government)

Power struggles can occur anywhere at anytime. In government, power struggles occur all the time. People always argue and debate on how to govern, what to do about wars, and many other subjects. In the upcoming election in 2008, the candidates are fighting and debating for power over the US, power to control and govern. In my neighborhood and community, power struggles are not very common. But there are occasional incidents that occur. In school power struggles are very familiar. Students argue for power over almost everything. For example, usually when my peers and I play soccer, everyone fights on who should be the team captains. So again, power struggles can occur anytime and anywhere.