In a Wall Sreet Journal column entitled "Do Not Put Me In Charge", Jonathan Shapiro talked of how today's American men are not leading their families. They have ceded control to their wives and their girlfriends.

This acquiescence of responsibility in the relationship occurs early in the initial courtship of the couple. Many American men are voluntarily giving up control of the romance in return for acceptance, companionship and sexual relations. They bury their needs, feelings and goals to accommodate their mate. They would rather be in a poor relationship than no relationship.

One strain of American men that are mentally capable of loving women but unfortunately use deceit to gain a sexual relationship are called "hen-pecked." The hen-pecked man  may be a "good" person, but he has bought into the predominant cultural view that the romantic ends justify the means.

Despite healthy motives, he eventually begins to feel resentful. After the Honeymoon peak of the romance fades, the hen-pecked man begins to tire of always accommodating his partner. She has no idea why his heart is no longer in the activitites and events he seemed to enjoy so much with her during their early courtship.