(Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives, Hawkins, Dollahite & Drapter (2012); Ch. 4 Equal Partnership between Men and Women in Families, Hudson & Miller)
In the proclamation to the family, it states that “fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.” That can be confusing, we do not want to confuse ‘equal’ with ‘the same’. The Lord created each one of us different and unique and then commanded us to be of “one heart and one mind”. We can have a unity of purpose in a family and an equal responsibility for the success of the family, but each spouse can make a very different contribution depending on their strengths, weaknesses and what works best in your unique relationship.
In some cultures, tradition would have the man dominate, and
control all family affairs. Richard G. Scott has confirmed “That is not the way
of the Lord. In some places the wife is almost owned by her husband, as if she
were another of his personal possessions. That is a cruel, mistaken vision of
marriage encouraged by Lucifer that every priesthood holder must reject.”Honor the Priesthood and Use it Well On
the contrary, President Howard W. Hunter said: “The Lord intended that the wife
be…a companion equal and necessary in full partnership…For the man to operate
independent of or without regard to the feelings and counsel of his wife in
governing the family is to exercise unrighteous dominion.” Being a Righteous Husband and Father President Boyd K.
Packer has also confirmed, “There is no task, however menial, connected with
the care of babies, the nurturing of children, or with the maintenance of the
home that is not (the husbands) equal obligation.” Likewise, women assist their
husbands, directly and indirectly, with the burdens of supporting a family.
Research has shown that both spouses will be happier in an
equal relationship. When one of the spouses feel that they lack influence or
don’t have a voice, they are much more likely to experience depression. Equal
partners are also better parents because they work as a team and they have a
united front when disciplining.