Male – Female Roles
in the
Religious Armenian Family:
The Spousal Relationship
Compiled by Dér Stépanos Dingilian © 2002
A group of Armenian couples were asked to share their perspective on the male and female roles in the spousal relationship for the religious Church attending Armenian family. It is important to note that this is perspective in the ‘spousal’ relationship and not the overall ‘family,’ which sets aside the relationship with the children. The responses are divided into two sections. First, what the wives thought their role was, and what their spouses viewed it to be. Second, what the husbands thought their role was, and what their spouses viewed to be. So the information below lists what a husband or a wife thinks his or her role is, and next to it is listed what his or her spouse has independently thought that it is. We thank God for the opportunity to conduct such a workshop. In addition, we thank all those participants who took the time to get involved, and consequently – they benefited from this experience and the whole community now has an opportunity to learn through them.
Let us present the female role first.
The wives were asked: “What do you think is your role in your spousal
relationship?” Independently, the husbands were asked: “What do you think
is your wife’s role in your spousal relationship?” Their responses were then compared.
|
Role
based on top vote getters |
Wives |
Husbands |
|
Is
a loving person |
4 |
3 |
|
Is
supportive of spouse's decisions |
3 |
3 |
|
Trusts husband and submits |
3 |
1 |
|
Prays for husband |
3 |
0 |
|
Is
a caregiver |
2 |
1 |
|
Provides
safe environment |
1 |
3 |
|
Is
a comforter |
1 |
4 |
|
Is
a forgiver |
1 |
2 |
|
Creates
a sense of belonging |
1 |
0 |
|
Enjoys
the family life |
1 |
0 |
|
Is
a nurturer |
1 |
2 |
|
Is
a follower |
1 |
0 |
|
Places
God first |
1 |
0 |
|
Gives
hope |
1 |
0 |
|
Is
a peacemaker |
0 |
1 |
Here are some observations:
A. Love and support are the two most expectations of the wife that both wife and husband agree upon. (Green colored)
B. Whereas the wife sees herself trusting and submitting to the husband, the husband does not seem to realize that. In addition, whereas the wife prays for her husband, again, the husband does not see to be aware of it. In this sense, it is interesting that these two roles which the wives consider as very important, the husbands do not even realize at all. (Yellow colored)
C. On the other hand, whereas the husband considers the wife’s role as one who creates a safe environment and comforter for the husband, the wife does not realize the importance of those goals for the husband. (Blue colored)
Very shortly we will post the roles that the husbands consider as important, and how their wives view them.
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