You mention the OM is in a higher position than you. That COULD be a metaphor for manliness.

She claims that is not important to her, although she may not overtly think of it, that way.

Has she ever complained that you should be or strive to be in a higher position of work or level of earning?

It sounds like she's rebelling in some ways against her heritage, yet it may still be deeply rooted in her.

So she may see a MAN and POWER in a more covert way (position, power over other people, money) rather than overt (hunter, motorcycle, muscles).