Women's access to spheres of power across countless professional sectors has psychological and emotional consequences that often remain outside the radar of social studies. This phenomenon, which Bolinches calls the “superwoman syndrome,” suggests that while success adds appeal to men, it complicates affective life for women.
“"My thesis is that professional, economic, and social success has contradictory consequences for men and women on the affective level: while it makes them more attractive and allows them to multiply their options for relationships, it penalizes them and complicates their lives when it comes to finding a partner."
After analyzing 150 testimonies from successful women, the honorary president of the Catalan Society of Sexology explains that the difficulty is twofold: women's high standards reduce the number of candidates, and men of similar status prefer less powerful partners to feel less questioned and maintain command in the relationship.
“"The world has changed, women have accessed power under conditions of equality with men, but many still see female success as an anomaly or a threat, and that throws them off balance."
Journalist Gloria Lomana and consultant Liana Knight corroborate this trend, noting that many successful women prefer solitude rather than accepting a partner who is not at their intellectual level. Psychologist Sandra López Gallego adds that women often blame themselves for this situation, feeling that they “scare men away.”
However, experts like matrimonial lawyer Elena Crespo urge a change in perspective. Crespo suggests that successful women should leverage their autonomy and be less demanding, seeking a companion with whom to “have a good time” instead of a “pillar” for their life, burying the “prince charming story.”
