One of the things for which I am eternally grateful is the fact that my mom and dad, especially mom, who was very insistent on this subject, schooled us boys (I have two brothers) in etiquette, such as, opening doors for one’s elders and for women, walking on the outside of one’s female companion when walking along the roadway or sidewalk, giving one’s seat on the bus or train to a lady or older person, and so on.  She taught us to do this with respect and without being patronizing, to know and understand that this is the right thing to do, and to enjoy doing it.

This brings me to today’s thought about ‘the’ wife – it may have been the case in the very primitive past, when women were treated as possessions, as much as a man’s cattle or pets were possessions – the cow, the dog, the cat, the wife, often in that sequence of significance. How crazy is this??!! Using the term ‘the wife’, sounds so disrespectful, so dismissive. And so lacking in caring thought. Haven’t we moved on from these truly out-of-date ideas?

Using the term ‘my wife’ could be interpreted as being possessive but, the way I see it, it implies the deep, individual, loving characteristics of a strong, respectful relationship and the pride and love one feels for one’s partner.

Contrary to the approach of many people, both within the third and first world, women and men are equal participants in life and equal participants in relationships. I shall never understand the attitude that treats women as being secondary to men. This is nonsense and the consequences can only be negative. And often catastrophic.

Don’t we all want our life partner to have our backs?  Disrespectful attitude, which is a symptom of a lack of true love (and thought), will not achieve this. Most of us (I’m sure) understand the priceless value of a mutually respectful, loving relationship. What a wonderful goal and endeavor.

Zed