Great thread... thanks for starting it!
My pleasure.

I walked away from Fundamentalism a few years ago. I still embrace some of the teachings but some I thought I went off the deep end about.

My husband never liked Paul very much, even while a Believer. So he did not press the submission issue with me. He only asked for cooperation and respecting each other's feelings, which isn't too much for any couple to ask for. A few years into our marriage I embraced the teaching. The thing is is that nothing really changed. I matured some, I learned how to better cooperate. Mostly by the examples of my Sisters.

Since the walk-away nothing has changed. We cooperate and try to show respect to each other. My eagerness to please is not because I am trying to please G-d, but because it is my personality, I love to please and serve.

As I mull this over I think it is greatly influenced by culture. The Bible, Quaran, Talmud and Tanach all have wifely submission and husband as head of the home scriptures. They are patriarchal societies. America still is, it was influenced by Christian doctrine. (the political aspect of this is a whole other thread)

However, I'm curious to study matriarchal societies, some Native American tribes have had it, and I'd have to re-read about others. Do the women have more legal rights? More say in their matches and divorces? More control of the money? The women and men grow up into their respective roles because of the example set by their culture. Is there still a sense of submission about certain things/scenarios? Do the women crave a man more dominant in sexuality, perhaps to prove his manlihood or because she simply needs that aspect naturally?

I'm not looking for a definitive answer, the discussion is interesting. Thank you for participating.