Chapter 10- Managing Conflict and Power

From the time I started high school to the day I turned eighteen, I started to exercise my ability to make decisions. I figured at that time that I was smart enough to judge whether something was a good decision or not, so I had the idea that I should have been able to do what I wanted. There was a little problem, however. My parents did not share my view. They believed that only after I turn eighteen would I gain some freedom. I asked why, because as someone who was close to adult age, it seemed reasonable. They simply replied with something along the lines of “because I said so.” That point onwards has brought to my attention the concept of power dynamics. As the parents, they believe that they can tell me to do whatever just because they gave me life. Even now, in my twenties, they still do this. Well, I think that will change. As I get older, it will start being less acceptable to order me around. Just today, I learned of another concept known as structural improvements. This when the dynamics of a relationship start to shift while keeping the relationship healthy (ch. 10, 275). Perhaps this entry was immature, but at the least it is honest.