Male headship & female submission in marriage among African Christians

Upon entering into a marital relationship, an African Christian couple is faced with both biblical and cultural perspectives regarding the patriarchal idea of male headship and female submission in marriage. This is because headship and submission are both cultural and biblical issues. The African culture, just as the Bible, defines the position and the role of males and females and this presents a challenge for the African Christian couple regarding practice. This work explores biblical and cultural ideas of headship and submission in order to develop an understanding of, describe and explain African Christians¿ perceptions, attitudes and practices with regard to headship and submission in marriage. It is important for pastoral care givers to gain insight into influences on married couples¿ understanding and practice of headship and submission and the implication this has for gender disparity as well as the consequences of gender disparity for the lives of people.