Contrary to popular belief, we still live in a predominantly male ruled world. Common catch phrases like "its a mans world out there" continue to propagate such underlying factors within our communities.

Granted, I'm only young, still stirring it up and trying to find my fit, my balance, but even at 23, we have greater tales, though, not often referred to as "important", but equally viable as a measurement of male dominance within our society. Not only in the workplace, but the greatest display of male dominance is in relationships. Men like to feel powerful but often take the worst route to exhort their power.

Notably so, men always find the need to be right all the time and dare you defy them or deny them they "birth right" of being right, you are in the pits. We read and hear on the daily, on how young ladies are often seen as "stubborn" or "challenging" as soon as they stand up for what they believe in, often labelled unruly and "nothing like their mothers" often said to be difficult and disrespectful.

Dear ladies, if he doesn't treat you as an equal partner, then he rules over you. And need I mention that "equal" does not mean "the same". Allow a man to play his manly role, but don't allow him to make you feel less important than you actually are.

I've come to the realisation that, in this day and age, more than one guy would be willing to give you the love, care and respect needed to make a relationship work and function sanely without making the other party feel like you have him with his balls.

Love and respect yourself and men will learn to do the same.