"The concept of romantic love affords a means of emotional manipulation which the male is free to exploit, since love is the only circumstance in which the female is (ideologically) pardoned for sexual activity"

This quote by Kate Millett talks to the power characteristics in between males and females in a romantic relationship. Millett suggests that guys are able to manipulate women mentally through the principle of romantic love. This is because females are socially conditioned to accept love as a reason for sexual activity, while guys are not held to the very same standard. This quote highlights the unequal power dynamics in between men and women in a romantic relationship, and how men are able to exploit this power imbalance to their benefit. It is a suggestion of the importance of recognizing and challenging the unequal power dynamics in between men and women in all elements of life.