sugar mommas

Throughout this reading, I kept hoping for more action yet realizing illustrating life in Harlem was the point.  However, I was quite intrigued by the power dynamic between men and women.  Specifically, I was struck by the sugar mommas that provided Zeddy and Jake with the so-called 'sweet life'.  As we find out, the sweet life is not all its cracked up to be.  Zeddy remains with Susy solely for her money and the things she provides for him; Jake on the other hand stays with ROse out of lack of better options.  Susy keeps her word to Zeddy and when she finds him running around on her, she leaves his suitcase by the door and is done with him.  However, Rose yearns for Jake to beat and mistreat her.  When Jake does finally strike her, he realizes it is time to make a move.  Yet, at this same time, she actually finds reason to stay with him.  Rose's desire to be treated poorly struck a nerve with me, especially in juxtaposition to Susy's refusal to be treated in such a manner.  Sadly, Rose is the younger of the women with many more assets to offer.  Thus, it would almost be assumed that the reactions would be reversed.  What do these women expose in reference to life in Harlem?  Is Rose just a single sexual deviant who enjoys pain or does she represent more?