Power and Sexual Misconduct

In recent months, cases of sexual misconduct involving powerful men have been flooding

new outlets. It is not new that men with power often take advantage position in society to get

what they desire. Psychologists have been trying to explain why industries such as entertainment,

business, and politics have such a high rate of sexual misconduct. It is integral when discussing

these cases of sexual misconduct to be aware of the relationship between power and sex and how

masculinity can effect this relationship. Tribalism plays a primary role and these sexual assaults,

and at this time when more and more people are coming forward with accusations, the role it is

playing is becoming even more prevalent. Society has allowed powerful men excuses for their

behavior in regards to cases of sexual misconduct, and the consequences can be seen through the

systematic abuse of power that is occurring in the world’s largest industries today. To fully

understand why in today men are so graphically abusing their positions, one must understand the

depth that this abuse of power goes to.

The Flavian dynasty was a family that ruled the Roman empire from 69 AD through 96

AD. The Flavians are most well-known for their reforms in economics and culturally. Although

short lived, they had a lot of power due to their relationship the Senate. What could be described

at their most memorable accomplishment is the building of the Flavian Amphitheater, now better

known as the Colosseum. Although they are remembered for these accomplishments, they are

also known for sexual deviancy. The emperors and other men in power were known for having

relations with what Betzig described as “vulgar prostitutes”. The span of their rule reached

almost all of the Mediterranean, and all woman under their rule were subject to solicitation from

their rulers. But what could perhaps be considered one of the obscenest of their practices would
their incestuous relationships. These took place between brother’s wives, sister, and cousins. The

scandals continue throughout history and all over the civilized world (Betzig).

Charles II was king of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1660 until his death in 1685.

Charles was one of the most popular and adored king of England due to his assistance in

bringing back normality after the Puritans overthrew the monarchy. Charles’ wife was Catherine

of Braganza and was never able to give birth to a child to succeed Charles. This beloved king

had countless mistresses however. Across England he left dozens of children along the

countryside, acknowledging a recorded twelve of them. Charles II is far from the only example

of a married leader caught having affairs throughout history (Betzig).

Founder Father Alexander Hamilton lived from 1757 to 1804. Hamilton was married to

his loving wife Elizabeth Schuyler and the couple had eight children together. When Elizabeth

was pregnant with the couples fifth child she was visiting her parents, and while she was away,

Hamilton was in a Inn having an affair with a twenty-three year old illiterate wife of a local

pimp. After being caught he admitted his infidelity, but continued to act unfaithfully and was

known for getting intoxicated at pubs and taking flirtations to a degree further with groping and

lewd language. These three examples are only a meager fraction of powerful people, specifically

men, who use their position in society to take what they want (Betzig).

Phycologists have been trying to uncover why leaders in society are often are part of

scandals relating to sex, particularly cases of sexual misconduct. Landsberg states that the social

image of power is strongly linked to masculinity. Boys grow up with successful men as examples

demonstrating masculinity, and a major aspect of this has to do with sex. When speaking about

the last century, there has been a lot of development in society’s view of woman and, because of

this, there are generations raised with different standards. There is some debate on how we
should raise both genders relative to sexual assaults. Some say we should teach girls how to be

smart, others say we should stop making excuses for the action of young men and teach boys

about consent at a younger age. The familiar phrase “boys will be boys” in particular has come

under fire with people proclaiming that it is contributing to problem, making excuses for little

boys manifesting into men feeling as though they will not face repercussions for their actions. As

our brains develop, we look to someone as an example that we could potentially model ourselves

after, and children of both genders will often look to their president as a role model. Trump

openly admitted to groping woman because his fame allowed him to, and he was still able to win

the election (Landsberg). Some psychologists have discussed how Donald Trumps’ victory in the

election, after not only over a dozen woman came forward, but a recording of him saying that he

can essentially do what he wants to women because of his “fame”, helps solidifies a concept in

developing minds that since boys are boys, they can act a certain way and it will be accepted

(Benac and Woodward). The reasoning Benac gives for why Trump was able to emerge

basically “unscathed” was because of what differentiates him from other significant men being

toppled by sexual assault allegations: his confidence. Trump firmly believes that he was not at

fault, and making it easier to convince America that these allegations and even video proof were

insignificant. The case of Trump is one that sets a precedent for the social acceptability of others

acting as he does. Trump is in both politics and the entertainment industry, which has also been

scrutinized for allowing sexual predators in the industry, in particular with Harvey Weinstein. In

an article discussing psychology of famous sex predators, Raj Persaud discusses how these

predators will try put blame on something other than their own flaws, often choosing sex-addict

as a better title rapist. Psychologists have used this information to try and uncover the

relationship between sex and power.

 Interpreting the relationship between power and sex in individuals with clout is crucial to

recognizing why sexual misconduct transpires so often in politics, business, and the

entertainment industry. Sexual assaults are often driven by the attraction to power. Overtime

people in power can become corrupted (Persaud and Bruggan). Men are more likely to become

“corrupted” through gaining power than men (Schmidt). A study done by Samantha Schmidt

concluded that the more power an individual has, the more increase there is in the individual’s

impulsivity and decrease in empathy. One example of how people who feel entitled act with less

compassion than those who do not see themselves the same is drives of luxury cars are less likely

to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks (Schmidt). This change in brains chemistry could be used to

explain why original morals of an individual that has, for instance, gotten several promotions

rapidly, alter overtime. Furthermore, a factor that could be the cause of why men in powerful

roles commit sexual assault is that men with power feel as though everyone around them is

sexually attracted to them. The secrets that these powerful men have been keeping for decades

are now starting to show through the cracks. Woman are growing a sense of community, making

them feel protected as they come forward with their stories.

In the news recently, there is a new article almost every day regarding sexual misconduct.

Woman have been coming forward with their stories and people have been listening. The

tribalism that these women feel brings them close together, because most people would not

understand what they have gone through. These supporting communities of woman who

understand each other make it easier for other women, or men, to call out their offenders.

Knowing that your voice will be heard makes everyone feel more confident when speaking their
truth, and making a sort of trickle-down effect. When one woman is brave enough to stand up for

themselves, other women feel a sense of protection, and these woman form almost a pack-like

group, ensuring that they will not stand alone.

The tribalism is similar to how men feel. Powerful people often find each other in groups

and are both drawn to each other and protect each other. This sense of tribalism helps protect

these groups. Predators seek out jobs in specific fields that will allow them to exploit

individuals. The fact that these individuals are all throughout similar industries, such as

Hollywood, make a group of people that will protect each other. There are two possibilities for

why men in these industries who are accused of these crimes stick together. One theory is that

they build their relationships based on their crimes. In all of these industries, everyone that work

knows the secrets that are kept quiet and don’t make headline news, making it easy for these

predators to seek each other out. Ultimately all of these men protecting each other from their

crimes becoming revealed is what their friendships are actually based on. The other theory

however is that these individuals protect each other because they understand that if one of them

goes down, like dominos, the rest will most likely follow. This domino effect can be shown

through the allegations that have come against Harvey Weinstein. After his allegations were

made public and became headlining news, other victims came forward about these encounters

with not only people in the entertainment industry, but in other industries that are notorious for

attracting these predators as well. Either way, their sense of tribalism is what they cling to during

times when they could be called out at any time for their actions.
 The way society is beginning to change their viewpoint in regards to sexual assault is a

positive manner. However, without addressing the power dynamic between men and woman, it

will be hard to solidify a change in the way men take advantage of their power.