Patriarchal family unit

Press, 9 August 1985, Page 16

Patriarchal family unit

Sir,—Tim Linley ("The Press” August 6) makes an important point when he says that the role model of patriarchal dominance can only be handled by some men by using violence. There is a need for material similar to the Vocational Training Council poster, “Women can do anything,” which encourages women to consider careers thought of as for men only. Such material could show us that it is acceptable for men to share rather than dominate, to follow and allow others to lead. Women often discourage men from making changes by ridiculing efforts made and by jealously guarding women’s traditional tasks and approaches; but the patriarchal family unit is too restricting for both women and men. When other ways are more acceptable then we will feel safer knowing that the males of this world are not going to resort to violence to feed their patriarchal need to dominate.—Yours, etc.,

CLARE HARDY. August 7, 1985.

Sir, — Tim Lindley labours under a misconception. We did not propose traditional patriarchal family units in general as the cure for social ailments. We were merely defending traditional scriptural family relationships. Patriarchal families predominate everywhere in the world. Truly scriptural families exist only where Christian influences are strong. They are not characterised by husbands who “dominate,” but by mutual love, flexibility, and respect. Superficially traditional families are not the cure for society’s ills. Only Christ is the cure. Traditional Biblical families are good because they are Godcentred. We would, however, dispute Tim Lindley’s suggestions concerning patriarchal families in general. Such units predominate in all societies. Medical research shows that male hormones give men emotional responses and drives which fit them for family leadership roles. Violence is one result of rebellion against God-given roles. — Yours, etc., GILLIAN CANHAM, JOHN QANHAM. August 7, 19£t5.