4 Ways to Achieve Equal Partnership in Marriage

My husband and I have many different opinions when it comes to some things in our marriage, but we agreed from the beginning that we would support one another in our roles as husband and wife, and mother and father. Together we come up with ways to strengthen our family. We may not agree on everything, but we compromise with one another. I know that my husband will support me and come to me in our marriage. He is a true partner. 

Let us be equal to our spouse in marriage. Because men and women are so different, it can be challenging to feel that you are equal to your spouse. God sees you as equals and wants you to become one in marriage. Here are my favorite quotes regarding equal partnership between men and women in marriage:

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."--The Family: A Proclamation to the World

"Genesis 3:16 states that Adam is to 'rule over' Eve, but this doesn't make Adam a dictator...Over in 'rule over' uses the Hebrew bet, which means ruling with, not ruling over.... The concept of interdependent, equal partners is well-grounded in the doctrine of the restored gospel. Eve was Adam's 'help meet' (Genesis 2:18). The original Hebrew for meet means that Eve was adequate for, or equal to, Adam. She wasn't his servant or his subordinate."--Elder Bruce C. Hafen

"It must needs be that there be an organization of my people...that you maybe equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also" --D&C 78:3, 50
This helps us realize that equality is a commandmen--Hudson and Miller

"Indeed, given that we believe Adam and Eve lived this law, a marriage reflecting the equality of the spouses is the ultimate traditional marriage."--Hudson and Miller

"In the home [authority] is a partnership with husband and wife equally yoked together, sharing in decisions, always working together."--President Boyd K. Packer

"[Parents] are on equal footing. They plan and organize the affairs of the family jointly and unanimously as they move forward."--Elder L. Tom Perry

"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 husband's] equal obligation."--President Boyd K. Packer

"There must be room enough in a marriage for the dreams of both the husband and the wife and sweet encouragement from each to the other follow those dreams." --Hudson and Miller

"Societal attitudes about the power structure of marriage have continued to change over time, and today the majority of men and women in Western cultures believe that marriages should be characterized as a partnership, with both spouses having equal influence in the relationship (Thornton & Young-Demarco, 2001).--Hudson and Miller

Benefits of Equal Partnership
-happier relationships
-better individual well-being
-more effective parenting practices
-better-functioning children
-more satisfied & better overall marital quality
-more positive interaction in the relationship
-less likely to experience verbal aggression and physical violence
-more satisfied with the quality of the physical intimacy in their relationship
-personal well-being of spouses
-better parents

How to Achieve Equal Partnership in Marriage

1. Marry your equal-share the same beliefs

2. Establish the roles in equal partnership-be aware, reasonable, and clear of what you expect

3. Help with complimentary responsibilities

4. Do your best-patience is vital

Source: Hawkins, A. J. (20122012). Equal Partnership Between Men and Women in Families. Successful marriages and families: proclamation principles and research perspectives (40-48). Provo, Utah: BYU Studies and School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.