By Lucy Caulkett-
Princess Eugenie joined the list of royal newly weds who refused to vow to obey her husband as part of her wedding vows on Friday.
Meghan Merkel had also refused to vow obedience when she married Prince Harry in the summer, and Princess Diana also refused to abide by the traditional vows to obey her husband, Prince Charles. On the face of it the refusal appears disrespectful until we remember that we now live in the modern times of equal treatment. Wedding traditions in which women vow to obey their husbands are outdated among those who are socially aware and well developed.
In a world where domestic violence and gender wage disparities has been a serious cancer, women are now standing up for their rights. We are saying no to gender bias and unfair treatment, and there is no fairness in any type of vow or law that requires women to blindly obey their husbands.
History shows that many men are poor judges of good standards or conduct, and can actually be very domineering and manipulative. Women are by no means perfect, but with men being the stronger sex, incidences of their domination and brutality call for more unity among women.
Imagine a world in which a woman had to obey everything her husband says. We will be left with a world with psychologically demoralized women with low self esteem and a feeling of worthlessness. There will also be higher levels of mental health issues, abuse of power, and even sexual abuse within relationships. A woman who has to obey her husband will be forced to participate in an extramarital relationship, like a threesome, or be guilty of breaking her wedding vows.
Every relationship or marriage should be built on mutual respect and consideration, obedience doesn’t come into a relationship of love and commitment. Princess Eugienie understands this, and so did Meghan Merkle and Princess Diana. Some sections of the British press reported that Princess Eugene refused to obey her husband, without explaining the importance of her position and that taken by other Princesses to be.
Eugenie who wore a beautiful dress accompanied by a tiara borrowed from the Queen attached to a stunning pair of diamond and emerald earrings, looked stunning. Eugenie also broke tradition by refusing to wear a veil. This is a major break from tradition. Throughout the history of royal weddings only Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, did not wear a veil when she married Prince Charles. Princess Anne also did not wear a veil when she married Sir Tim Laurence.
Changing times are revealing the advancement of women in the world in every aspect of life and profession. Women have always been victims of male domination, but the world of male superiority is changing progressively. Powerful and influential men with brains and dignity realize that women have to be giving a chance to express their wisdom and talents to the world. Any expectations for women to be be dutifully obedient to their husband in this day and age is deluded and out of touch with the times.