Husband and wife

The woman subordinate to her husband
In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, 'the woman is subordinate to her husband'.
In modern Western society, women are very emancipated and many conscious women will not be able to accept this Biblical concept. In some fundamentalistic, Islamic countries, women are not even allowed to go to school to learn.
Still, it is worthwhile to think about this further and to find a happy middle.

Social emancipation
If men and women do exactly the same work in the same position, then the women are quite right that they want to earn the same as the men. To use a Christian expression, 'like monks, like hoods.'

This social emancipation does not contradict the holy scriptures!
It says there that the woman is subordinate to her man and not to the man. Apparently we need to address the situation within marriage.

The marital partners
Does 'the woman subordinate to her husband' mean, that the man is in charge of the house, that the woman must swallow everything the man dictates? Absolutely not, although many believers think so. In a harmonious marriage, both partners respect each other. They should listen to each other during any conversation, no matter how superficially or profoundly. They should take into account each other's arguments, feelings and beliefs.
If one of the two does not adhere to these rules, a harmonious marriage is out of the question.

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Opposing views
However, sometimes situations can arise involving husband and wife, while there are conflicting opinions on a certain aspect. It can happen, even though husband and wife totally respect each other. In such a situation the sacred principle that 'the woman is subordinate to her husband' becomes functional. If neither can give in, then this principle ensures that decisions still can be made.

Not two captains on one ship
An example: a daughter wants new shoes. Father and mother deliberate. Father finds arguments for buying shoes. Mother finds equally strong reasons not to buy shoes at that time. Dear daughter does not know what to do.
The sacred principle 'the woman is subordinate to her husband' is the saving referee in this situation: the daughter is allowed to buy new shoes.