Equal but different 

What does equality look like ?

Does marriage equality mean identical? No, to have equality in marriage a husband and wife do not have to have identical roles. What does this mean?  It means that a husband and wife support each other in their roles. I have often wondered if I am an equal partner to my husband because I stay home, and my husband works. I have even sometimes felt guilty because he must get up and work every day and I get to stay home. But I have learned that there are many things that I can do to be a support to my husband and create equality in my marriage.

•  I can support my husband by giving him encouragement every night when he comes home from work and expressing thanks to him for providing for the family.

•  I can also support him by paying the bills and being wise with the money that I spend and by  discussing finances together with him.                                                                              
•   My husband can support me by helping to care for the children when he gets home from work 
• He can also support me by also showing appreciation for the work I do in the home.

There are lots of different marriage situations and every situation men and women can work to have marriage equality where they support each other in their roles.

 

                                                            

Intimacy 

                                                    

There is another aspect of equality is marriage that can be awkward for married couples to talk about. It is the sexual relationship between husband and wife. For there to be equality in the sexual relationship husband and wife need to communicate with each other about their needs. It can be common for one spouse to get more satisfaction and for the other one to feel cheated. To avoid this husband and wife can make sure their main concern is the pleasure of their spouse. When both spouses put each other first the result can be a beautiful experience where they not only grow closer to each other but closer to God.

 

Decision making 

In equal marriages the husband and wife share in the decision   making. They should counsel together often over all things that are important to the family and the couple. Marriages where women get to be part of the decision making is a new concept. For a long time, the doctrine that Eve was a help meet to Adam was interpreted that man was meant to rule over women. This could not be further from the truth a help meet means a companion that is equal too. Satan over the centuries has sought the destroy equality in marriage because marriage equality is part of a celestial marriage which is something that Satan will never have.

 

 

 I am so grateful that I live in a time where women are treated as equals in a marriage. It is such a blessing to be able to be a part of a team. When couples work together to have a marriage where they make decision   together  especially in a prayerful manner they are preparing for eternity where they will rule together as Gods and Goddesses.

Hawkins, Dollahite & Draper (2020) . Successful Marriages and Families : Proclamtion and principles research perspectives. Brigham Young University