Tango and Gender Interdependence

Interdependency is an inherent part of human relationships. There is immense value in the interdependence between the two sexes. Men and women have different strengths, weaknesses, experiences, expertise, and perspectives. They bear different responsibilities and share different tasks in teamwork. Each gender offers discrete forms of emotional support and companionship, makes distinct contributions, and brings different qualities to a fulfilled life. Happiness for either gender hinges on the presence and contribution of the other. Neither gender can be happy without the other.

Feminism blindly opposes women's dependence on men, but this dependence is a result of natural selection, enabling sustainable relationships that benefit the species and its offspring. Men and women are created for each other. Androgens in men enhance strength and competitiveness, making men effective fighters and protectors. Estrogen in women fosters softness, emotionalism and affection, making them nurturing mothers. Women's beauty arouses men's hunger for them, aiding human propagation. Women's tenderness and emotionalism complement men’s toughness and strength, fostering mutual attraction. Women's petiteness and frailty, while causing them to be more dependent, heighten their sensitivity to other's vulnerabilities, making them great caregivers. Women's hormonal fluctuations tied to their fertility, and their need for assistance during pregnancy and childbirth, contribute to their dependence, but that is not inherently negative. The delicacy and reliance of women serve as a crucial incentive for men, making men more responsible, and giving men immense satisfaction. This dynamic strengthens bonds, promotes mutual care and empathy, and fosters a harmonious partnership built on shared responsibilities.

Men also are dependent on women in numerous areas, including romance, household management, companionship, emotional support, parenting, elder care, and much more. Women's qualities like soft-heartedness, tenderness, sentimentalism, attention to detail, aesthetic sensibilities, etc., complement men's areas where they benefit from women's inputs and support.

The interdependence and mutual attraction between the sexes have long inspired art. Tango, in particular, captures and celebrates this dynamic. Through its intimate physicality and emotional interplay, tango beautifully balances women's delicacy and reliance with men's strength, offering satisfaction to both. Women are drawn to tango as it allows them to express attachment and dependence, while men find satisfaction in women's trust and allure (see Balancing Reliance and Lightness in Tango).

Years of observation and experience have convinced me that a good tango is one that gratifies the innate needs of both sexes, rather than the kind of performance that only cares about impression. Skilled tangueras convey women's attachment and dependence on men while bringing men contentment with their femininity. Similarly, adept tangueros fulfill women's attachment and dependence while allowing their feminine beauty to shine. Mastering these dynamics is essential for any tango dancer, regardless of gender, and should be the pursuit of every tango learner (see Artistic Sublimation and Vulgarism in Tango).