Two people in a healthy long term relationship should not feel the need to dominate each other. While one may be better at taking care of the domestic side of their life, their partner’s income does not provide them with more importance within the relationship. Equality and balance make a good relationship, so unhealthy relationship dominance is a sign that something needs to change. Failure to recognize it could spell disaster over the long run.

There are plenty of ways to dominate a person without the need for physical menacing or even vocal diminishment. A person skilled in the art of subtlety will find ways to accomplish their goal without their partner realizing what they are doing. The effects can be noticeable over time, but the damage may already have been done. Looking for patterns of behaviour is often the most beneficial way of discovering a partner’s need to feel superior.