The principle of headship and submission applies between the parents themselves, to husband and wife. Who exercises the headship, the husband or the wife? According to the One who made man and woman in the first place, it is the husband who is to exercise the headship. The apostle Paul reminds all that “man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man.” (1 Cor. 11:9) God’s Word also tells us: “As the congregation is in subjection to the Christ, so let wives also be to their husbands in everything.” (Eph. 5:24) No doubt some modern women will take issue with this command, but let us just reason on this matter for a moment.

It is indeed worthy of note that the apostle Paul, who wrote those words, immediately follows his counsel to wives with counsel to husbands about loving their wives just as Jesus loved the congregation to the extent of laying down his life for it. Further on, Paul says that men, husbands, are to love their wives as their own bodies, feeding and cherishing them even as they do their own bodies. Surely, where a husband shows that kind of love to his wife, she will find it quite pleasurable to be in subjection to him.​—Eph. 5:25-33.

This arrangement is both wise and just. By the very nature of things the male is normally better fitted to take the lead, the initiative. If he takes the right kind of lead, it is quite likely that his wife will find pleasure in following, in yielding. It is indeed of interest to note what one of New York city’s leading psychiatrists had to say on this very subject. In her book, she gives many case histories illustrating how women might realize fulfillment in the most intimate aspects of their marriage. And that is by doing what? By simply acceding in their minds and hearts to the headship of their husbands.

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SUBJECTION IN THE FAMILY CIRCLE MEANS

Husband showing loving consideration

Wife submitting to his headship

Children obeying parents