Contexts of Power Asymmetry in Academic–Nonacademic Partner Dyads: A Qualitative Study
Keywords:
Power asymmetry, romantic relationships, academic partners, nonacademic partnersAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore and interpret the relational contexts and mechanisms that create and sustain power asymmetry in romantic relationships where one partner is an academic professional and the other is nonacademic.
Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed using purposive sampling to recruit 20 Indonesian adults currently involved in academic–nonacademic romantic partnerships. Data were gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews that focused on relationship dynamics, perceptions of influence and authority, and coping strategies. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached, and all were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 14 software. Codes were iteratively developed and clustered into subthemes and overarching themes to capture the multifaceted nature of power relations within these dyads. Credibility was ensured through member checking and peer debriefing.
Findings: Analysis revealed three overarching themes: communication and intellectual exchange, social and cultural power dynamics, and emotional and relational balance. Participants reported that academic partners often held symbolic intellectual authority, creating conversational imbalance and feelings of exclusion. Social prestige linked to academic titles reinforced status differences, while financial contributions and career stability sometimes shifted power toward the nonacademic partner. Career mobility and relocation often disrupted the nonacademic partner’s professional development, fostering dependence and tension. Couples who actively validated each other’s contributions, translated disciplinary knowledge, and set explicit boundaries were better able to manage and renegotiate power imbalances.
Conclusion: Power asymmetry in academic–nonacademic romantic dyads is dynamic and context-dependent, shaped by intellectual capital, mobility demands, and social recognition. Relational resilience emerges when couples address asymmetry openly and create strategies to balance influence and support.
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