It's been a big week for high-profile sex scandals. And in the cases of both Arnold Schwarzenegger's love child and former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn's sexual assault charges, the leading role is played by a man — as usual. Why is that? asks Lane Wallace in The Atlantic. Sure, there are fewer women in lofty positions, but they're still statistically underrepresented in sex scandals. To understand why heavy-hitter women don't engage in scandalous affairs, consider the complicated dynamics of sex and power. Not only are powerful men often thought of as sexier (while powerful women typically are not), says Wallace, but men also see sex as "a way of reassuring themselves about their hold on that power." Here, an excerpt:
The link [between sex and power] undoubtedly dates back to the days of conquering, raping and pillaging all being lumped together in the spoils of warrior combat. Win the battle, gain the power, and take the sex you want. That's not acceptable in today's more civilized society, of course, but a piece of it endures and surfaces more often than we'd like to admit....
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Who actually needs life insurance?The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
-
Sexual wellness trends to know, from products and therapies to retreats and hotelsThe Week Recommends Talking about pleasure and sexual health is becoming less taboo
-
Is the AI bubble deflating?Today's Big Question Growing skepticism and high costs prompt reconsideration
