Power and Consent
Power and Consent
Power dynamics play a crucial role in understanding consent. When discussing power and consent, it's essential to recognize that power imbalances can significantly impact one's ability to freely give or withhold consent. For instance, in a professional setting, a boss may hold power over their employee, creating a situation where the employee may feel pressured to agree to things they are not comfortable with. This imbalance of power can blur the lines of consent and lead to situations of coercion or manipulation.
Moreover, understanding power dynamics in personal relationships is equally important. Whether it's in friendships, romantic relationships, or familial dynamics, power dynamics can influence how consent is perceived and given. Intersection of privilege and oppression can impact our agency and ability to consent freely. We need to consider if there are circumstances in someone's life that may impact their autonomy. For example; financial dependence on a partner or gender dynamics of who may access to more sexual agency and freedom.
In all relationships It is important to recognize and name power dynamics before sexual relationships begin. We can notice how factors of oppression and privilege can factor into our own agency, autonomy and safety.
Resources:
Consent and Power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWjY0BzQ2fQ
How Power Dynamics Dance with Somatic Consent and Relational Hierarchy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-i2Uf8vJD0
Wheel of Power and Privilege Video with Tanya Forgan: