The husband’s role in the family is that of leader. With more women become better educated, are they actually subconsciously taking the role of ‘leadership’ in the family? Women are financially more independent nowadays. Do they really harbour this thought that more money in their pockets means more power at home so much so that they think it is alright to usurp the leadership role of the husband in the family? This is definitely not a healthy idea which is in fact detrimental to a healthy marriage and family in the long run.
There are some disagreements as to which one is the more influential in the life of a child, the mother or the father. The mother is the one who guides the child to his immediate goals in the daily living, whereas generally, the father is the one who establishes the long-range ambitions, those ideals for which to strive in order to make a success in life.
It seems to me that more men are abdicating their role of leadership in the family and leaves it to the wife to be the head of the home. When husbands have fewer responsibilities at home, they are opened to temptations with much free time on hand. They may also feel been marginalised in family decision-makings. Our actions, as wives, sometimes indirectly encouraged such ‘symptoms’. I must say that I am guilty for that, especially in the past, I took things into my hand ('shortcuts') and made decisions on my own when the other party was too slow or indecisive in making decisions on these matters.
How can women force the issue with the husband if he takes the easy way out? I know it is easy to say than done. Men tend to be more egoistic and the wives really have to steer their husbands quietly and gently. In this dark and decaying world we are in, the unity in heart and spirit of the marital partners is even more treasured in order to prevent the disintegration of family.
May I add on to your opinions of the roles of husbands and wives in our modern globalised society. The reversal of roles in the family is not only attributed to better education and greater financial power of women but also the loss of traditional values in our Asian society. Our Asian values has always been patriarchial for centuries, with the men being the head of the family and society. With globalisation and influence of women liberation, the role of men in the family has been marginalised.
ReplyDeleteAs such, I do not blame the husbands, who feeling unworthy in the family, turn to extra-marital affairs,to drink and gsmbling. In doing so, their wives are indirectly responsible for their unfaithfulness and vices.
And for the wives who attempt to usurp the role of their husbands, they too suffer - from stress at home and at work, emotionally and physically. This makes them become vulnerable to physical and psychological ailments when they attempt to play too many roles, at the expense of their personal well-being.
To keep the family intact, a wise woman (Proverbs 31:30) would submit to her husband though she KNOWS she's more capable than her husband. In a family, there can only be one leader, thus the scriptural advice is so very practical in our ever changing world today - this truly speaks of our God knows what is BEST for us.