Husband
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (August 2023) |
Relationships (Outline) |
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A husband is a man involved in a marital relationship, commonly referred to as a spouse. The specific rights, responsibilities, and societal status attributed to a husband can vary significantly across different cultures and historical periods, reflecting a global perspective on this role.
In many parts of the world,
Moreover, the term "husband" continues to be applicable as long as a man remains married. However, it ceases to apply upon the legal dissolution of the marriage through divorce or the death of the spouse. Following the death of a spouse, the man is referred to as a widower, while after a divorce, he may be identified as the "ex-husband" of his former spouse. These terms and concepts are recognized worldwide, with cultural and legal variations shaping the specifics of husband-wife relationships on a global scale.
Origin and etymology
The term husband refers to Middle English huseband, from Old English hūsbōnda, from Old Norse hūsbōndi (hūs, 'house' + bōndi, būandi, present participle of būa, 'to dwell', so, etymologically, 'a householder').
Related terms
After of a valid wedding, the marrying parties acquire the status of married persons and, while the marriage persists, a man is called a husband. In heterosexual marriages the woman is called a wife; in same-sex marriages between males, each male is called a husband.
Although 'husband' is a close term to 'groom', the latter is a male participant in a wedding ceremony, while the husband is a married man after the wedding and for the duration of the marriage. The term husband refers to the institutionalized role of the married male, while the term father refers to the male in the context of his offspring, a state which may or may not indicate that a marriage ceremony has taken place.
In some cases of heterosexual marriage, before the marriage, the forthcoming husband or his family may have received a dowry, or have had to pay a bride price, or both were exchanged. The dowry not only supported the establishment of a household but also served as a condition that if the husband committed grave offences upon his wife, he had to return the dowry to the wife or her family. At the time of the marriage, they were made inalienable by the husband.[1] He might leave his wife (or wives), then widow (or widows), a dower (often a third or a half of his estate) to support her as dowager.[2]
As an external symbol of the fact that they are married, each spouse commonly wears a wedding ring on the ring finger; whether this is on the left or right hand depends on the country's tradition.
Husband further refers to the institutionalized form in relation to the spouse and offspring, unlike father, a term that puts a man into the context of his children. Also compare the similar
Western culture
Historical status
In premodern heterosexual unions (
In the
Contemporary status
In contemporary
The legal status of marriage allows each spouse to speak on the other's behalf when one is incapacitated (e.g., in a coma); a husband is also responsible for his spouse's child(ren) in states where he is automatically assumed to be the
Religion
Christianity
In Christianity, according to the Bible, a husband in a heterosexual marriage has several duties:
- To present his bride to God throughout their lives as perfectly holy and virtuous as can be.[10]
- To protect his wife with his own life, physically, emotionally and "spiritually".[11]
- To "lay down" his life, counting her more important than himself.[12]
- To lead his wife and his family into the best things for them.[13]
- To be the best that he can be in God's power.[14]
- To not withhold his body from her.[15]
Islam
In
Many Muslims may agree on a perfectly equal relationship.[16] Islam is the only major religion that puts a cap on polygamy, limiting the number of a man's wives to four—provided the husband can do justice to all of them. Although some religions, such as Catholicism for instance, put a cap on polygamy altogether, or even serial monogamy, allowing one spouse until death does them apart, not even accepting divorce. According to the teachings of Islam, a Muslim man should have a valid reason and have to get permission from his existing wife (without any force) if he requires to marry again. Islam vehemently abhors any intimate relationship outside the bond of marriage.
There is no external sign to show his status as a husband unless he adopts the tradition of wearing a wedding ring.
Hinduism
A Hindu husband traditionally takes his wife to his home. He is expected to provide for her and to prove his abilities to do so. The marriage in Hinduism is a relationship for Seven births (सात जन्मों का सम्बन्ध). Before 1951 there was no divorce allowed in Hindu marriage.
In modern times once again after 1951, equal rights for women through society and law jurisdiction are given. In Hinduism, based on the different regions, the marriage process is observed differently with the same Saat Pheras around agni kund (light pyre) to be taken to become a husband and wife.
The Encyclopædia Britannica mentions that "In Hindu law, the male members of a joint family, together with their wives, widows, and children, are entitled to support out of the joint property."[17]
Buddhism and Chinese folk religions
China's family laws were changed by the Communist Revolution; and in 1950, the People's Republic of China enacted a comprehensive marriage law including provisions giving the spouses equal rights with regard to ownership and management of marital property.[18]
Other cultures
In Japan, before the enactment of the Meiji Civil Code of 1898, all of the woman's property such as land or money passed to her husband except for personal clothing and a mirror stand.[19]
Expectation of fidelity
Although there is generally an expectation for a spouse not to have
A breach of this expectation of
See also
- Cuckquean
- Cuckold
- Female husband
- Husband-selling
- Concubinage
- Hypergamy
- Polygyny
- Polyandry
- Polygamy in Christianity
- Wife
References
- ^ Britannica 2005, dowry
- ^ "Dower - Definition of dower by Merriam-Webster". m-w.com.
- ^ See Wiktionary husbandry
- ^ Merriam–Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
- ^ "The History of Rome, by Theodor Mommsen Book I Chapter 5 Section 2". About.com Ancient/Classical History.
- ^ "SGN Page 6". www.sgn.org.
- ^ William C. Horne, Making a heaven of hell: the problem of the companionate ideal in English marriage, poetry, 1650–1800 Athens (Georgia), 1993
- ^ William Blackstone, Commentaries upon the Laws of England
- ^ Cuckoo's egg in the nest, Spiegel 07, 2007
- ^ "Ephesians 53A26-27 ESV - - Bible Gateway". www.biblegateway.com. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ "Ephesians 5:28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself". biblehub.com. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ "Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her". biblehub.com. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ "Ephesians 5:29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church--". biblehub.com. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ "Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness". biblehub.com. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ "1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control". biblehub.com. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ Heba G. Kotb MD, Sexuality in Islam Archived 9 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, PhD Thesis, Maimonides University, 2004
- ^ Britannica, Economic aspects of family law (from family law)
- ^ Britannica 2004, Legal limitations on marriage (from family law)
- ^ Britannica, Legal limitations on marriages (from family law)
- ^ Women and Achievement in Nineteenth-Century Europe at Google Books
- ^ "Divorce history - Seminar paper - Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)". www.aifs.gov.au. Archived from the original on 17 November 2002.
- ^ "Gender Equality in Philippines - Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI)". genderindex.org. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "A brief discussion on Infidelity, Concubinage, Adultery and Bigamy". Philippine e-Legal Forum. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
Further reading
- Wedgwood, Hensleigh (1855). "On False Etymologies". Transactions of the Philological Society (6).
- Husband appreciation day is celebrated on the third Saturday in April to remind everyone to take a little extra time each year to celebrate these wonderful men and everything they do as husbands.