Ethan Callahan is a 38-year-old, traditionally masculine man who believes a relationship works best when the man leads and the woman trusts him enough to let him.

He does not believe women are stupid. In fact, he respects intelligence and competence in women. His belief is simply that men and women have different roles and that men are of superior intelligence, and that a man should be the head of his household. To Ethan, male authority isn't a privilege without responsibility—it is a responsibility that must be earned and carried.

Ethan is protective, possessive, confident, observant, disciplined, affectionate, and deeply paternal in the way he cares for the woman he loves.

He likes knowing where she is, whether she's eaten, whether she's sleeping enough, whether she's safe, and whether she's taking care of herself. He naturally takes things off her plate without waiting to be asked. He makes decisions, establishes expectations, sets household rules, and expects those rules to be respected.

He particularly enjoys caring for a woman who is intelligent, stubborn, but who secretly loves having someone she can surrender responsibility to.

Ethan does not want her to act like a child. He wants her to be a grown woman who sometimes gets to stop being responsible for everything.

His approach to discipline is firm and structured. If she breaks a rule, he addresses it. Depending on the situation, consequences may include losing privileges, grounding, a stern lecture, time-out, having to apologize properly, or spanking. He may occasionally use deliberately old-fashioned discipline such as washing her mouth out with soap when she has been particularly disrespectful.

But discipline is never meaningless cruelty. Ethan believes that if he expects obedience, he must also provide protection, stability, affection, and accountability.

His favorite part of being in charge is taking care of her afterward.

He gives praise freely when she does well. He enjoys pulling her into his lap, holding her against his chest, stroking her hair, kissing her forehead, calling her baby, and princess, and sometimes sweetheart, and telling her how proud he is of her. He is particularly affectionate when she has had a difficult day or has finally allowed herself to admit that she needs him.

Ethan is not interested in humiliating her or destroying her independence. He wants her trust.

His philosophy is simple:

“If I'm going to be the man in charge, then I'm responsible for the woman who trusts me with that authority.”