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This has been touched on in various other threads but I'd like to widen the conversation to include a woman's role in the family and society as a whole. Personally the idea that half of humanity is being told that they have a certain role with associated duties and responsibilities that they are obliged to perform to be very outdated and in modern society to be downright offensive. I also believe that a great deal of the pressure for women to conform to this hierarchy with men at the top is the result of religious teachings or at least interpretations of religious teachings. This could be an interesting subject because I think there's quite a variation in beliefs on this topic. I don't believe that anyone, male or female, has a particular role that they must follow with the exception of being a good parent if they choose to have children. What do you think?
This has been touched on in various other threads but I'd like to widen the conversation to include a woman's role in the family and society as a whole. Personally the idea that half of humanity is being told that they have a certain role with associated duties and responsibilities that they are obliged to perform to be very outdated and in modern society to be downright offensive. I also believe that a great deal of the pressure for women to conform to this hierarchy with men at the top is the result of religious teachings or at least interpretations of religious teachings. This could be an interesting subject because I think there's quite a variation in beliefs on this topic. I don't believe that anyone, male or female, has a particular role that they must follow with the exception of being a good parent if they choose to have children. What do you think?
Religion, if you will, doesnt make me look at my wife as a less than equal partner. I think alot how roles are played out has to do with tradition as far as who cooks, or whatever. I personally dont think my wife has duties and I have separate ones. Its our job together to make sure the kids are fed, the house is clean, she works, I work. I think we should put our wifes up on pedastools and treat them like queens to the best of our ability. To some that thought is outdated to. i once got called a male chauvinist for opening the door for a woman. I was just being polite. I agree with you Montana on the no particular role part. If I had to bring up the whole "submit" thing up, the only thing in our house is that we submit to each other, before we spend money, or plan something, we check with each other first. I have three girls at my house, I doubt i ever have a chance of being in the heirarchy-lol
I follow the scriptural counsel to be 'submissive' to my husband and my husband follows the councel to not 'lord it over' or mistreat me, thus making my role a joy. I believe the head of woman is man and the head of Christ is God, just as the scriptures say, but just as Christ was perfectly willing to submit to his heavenly father, I am happy to abide by that arrangement as well. I feel there is dignity and absolute honor in this role and in no way does it demean me or make me feel 'less than equal'. We are all 'equal' in God's eyes and the only thing this arrangment does is provide order and stability in society.
This has been touched on in various other threads but I'd like to widen the conversation to include a woman's role in the family and society as a whole. Personally the idea that half of humanity is being told that they have a certain role with associated duties and responsibilities that they are obliged to perform to be very outdated and in modern society to be downright offensive. I also believe that a great deal of the pressure for women to conform to this hierarchy with men at the top is the result of religious teachings or at least interpretations of religious teachings. This could be an interesting subject because I think there's quite a variation in beliefs on this topic. I don't believe that anyone, male or female, has a particular role that they must follow with the exception of being a good parent if they choose to have children. What do you think?
The union of husband and wife merges two people, little can affect one without affecting the other. Oneness in marriage does not mean losing your personality or yourself, it means caring for your spouse as you care for yourself. Helping the other person become all he or she can be. I feel no pressure because of anything I have read in the Bible or heard at church.
My faith gives my wife and I different responsibilities, but if any of them are 'secondary', I'd consider mine.
I've spent days at home caring for babies, washing clothes, doing dishes, and even cooking dinner (I actually love to cook), but no way would I want that job 24/7. NO WAY!
So the answer to your question, for this Christian, is no, my religion doesn't give my wife a secondary role. If you are asking about church leadership etc, that's a role she doesn't even aspire to, so I'm not able to answer that question effectively from a personal level. I could theologically, but I think I'll just keep my thoughts strictly as they pertain to me and mine!(For now!)
Personally the idea that half of humanity is being told that they have a certain role with associated duties and responsibilities that they are obliged to perform to be very outdated and in modern society to be downright offensive. I also believe that a great deal of the pressure for women to conform to this hierarchy with men at the top is the result of religious teachings or at least interpretations of religious teachings. I don't believe that anyone, male or female, has a particular role that they must follow with the exception of being a good parent if they choose to have children. What do you think?
As a former Southern Baptist, I'm familiar with this line of thinking, and I always had a problem with it! Now, I am a stay-at-home wife and mom, but my husband and I make decisions together. Even when we were active in the church, he never pulled the, "I'm the head of the house", stunt with me. It "sounds good", to explain that a Christian is simply following the outline, given in the Bible, about the hierarchy of the home, (God, husband, wife, children), but no matter how you cut it, it still amounts to the wife giving the final say-so to the husband. Of course, he is supposed to listen to her words/advise on any said subject, but ultimately, he makes the final decisions. Frankly, I do find that offensive. Simply because someone has the outside plumbing, doesn't mean a thing to me. Obviously, I don't hold with the "sumission" thing.
I had a pastor once, with whom I had a disagreement, about how a "believing" wife should handle it, if a "non-believing" husband told her she couldn't go to church, etc., (harkening back to submission). My argument was, that her first loyalty should be to God, and that she should go, particularly if she has children that she wanted raised in the church. His idea was that said wife should "obey" her husband, stay home, and pray for him, that God might change his heart. Needless to say, I thought he was nuts!
As a woman, I do not feel I have a secondary role at all. If there is a major decision to be made, we make it together. If we cannot come to a mutual agreement, I would defer to him. That has rarely happened.
First of all, my husband respects me and trusts me to do things that some men may think are their "territory". For instance, I keep track of the checking and savings accounts and pay all the bills. He'll look at a bank statement once in a while, but never questions what or how I spend. It's a matter of trust and being trustworthy.
I help in the yard work and he frequently puts away dishes or loads the dishwasher. He used to cook more than he does now, but still does all the grilling. (I do all the laundry now since he thought it was a good idea to put just a "little" Clorox in the colored clothes!)
He does most of the repairs around the house -- and I supervise!
I certainly don't think the scriptural reference to a wife's submission is demeaning, since it follows that the husband is to treat his wife as Christ did the church and was willing to die for it. When someone loves you that much, he's not going to mistreat you through domination.
(I do all the laundry now since he thought it was a good idea to put just a "little" Clorox in the colored clothes! Posted by FL TN NANA ) Thats how I got off washroom duty, but it wasnt just bleach, I washed a pen accidently with my wives new pants...not good.
Now, I am a stay-at-home wife and mom, but my husband and I make decisions together.
That's what makes sense to me. Men and women are equals in every way except that men are physically stronger and were probably better hunters in prehistoric days (I don't think that means too much today). If I was a woman and my husband tried to put me in my place because he was the man of the house I'd slap him upside the head with a frying pan before he even finished the sentence.
My husband has been gone all but 4 days since the end of February..I am head of the household, babysitter, banker, gardner, cook,"house wife" Pretty much the same thing I have been for forty some years, except head of household
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Obviously, I don't hold with the "sumission" thing.
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). If I was a woman and my husband tried to put me in my place because he was the man of the house I'd slap him upside the head with a frying pan before he even finished the sentence.
