Likewise individuals experience the most satisfying relationships when there is unconditional acceptance and warm regard for each other. The absence of this spirit may make the relationship unsatisfying at best and, at worst, painful, perhaps even terrifying. The sinfulness of humanity is often expressed in self-centered thoughts and actions. Preoccupied with themselves, self-absorbed people tend to be less sensitive to the feelings of others. The caring concern for the other that is so necessary for a good relationship is skewed by selfish attitudes.
Society tends to grant more social weight to some people than to others.
For example, the wealthy enjoy more social weight than the poor, the employed more weight than the unemployed, the educated more than the uneducated, the physically attractive more than the unattractive, the talented more than the untalented. Custom often accords more social weight to parents than to their children, to men more than women, and to husbands more than wives. When those with this greater social weight are insensitive to their power in the relationship, or worse, take advantage of their power, abuse often results. Because people depend heavily on their families and close relationships, those who sense their power to be weaker will likely attempt to adjust as much as they can around the dominating people in their families or relationship system in order to protect themselves and sustain the relationship. Alternative expressions of power may appear in an attempt to balance the system.