August 4, 2011

• Why You Want Her to be a Warrior (Preamble)

  I wrote a post on an article titled "What Guys Wish Women Knew." As promised, I've decided to follow up on why men would actually would want to date a woman who is a warrior. But first, let me anticipate two areas of complaint.

  First, traditionally-minded guys (TMG) might say "But Greek, why would I want to marry a warrior? I am supposed to be the warrior in the relationship! I don't want some hard-nosed, manly girl!" Or women might say "But Greek, I want to be a princess, not a warrior! Unless it's like Xena and I can look hot while being a warrior. Do they make chain-metal dressing gowns?"

  First, Mr. TMG, sometimes you may not be able to be the warrior. You may get sick, or you may lose your job. But I can guess that you may not be swayed by that. So let's put it this way. Let's say it's 3PM and you're working until 5PM while your princess wife minds the castle. Suppose your middle-school daughter, Daddy's little princess, comes home arm in arm with the oversexed high-school dropout down the street. Do you want your princess wife to make them cookies and think about how adorable it is that they want to hang out in the bedroom and cuddle? Or do you want your warrior wife to suggest that the only way he'll be horizontal with your daughter around is in a casket? A crude example, admittedly, but I think I've made my point.

  Second, some Christian women might point out that the Bible seems to show a hierarchy, where the woman submits to the man and the man loves and cares for the women. (There is a lot of active discussion on what "submit" actually means there, which I'll skip and just assume I'm talking to women who interpret it in a more strict sense). "But Greek, doesn't a warrior woman sound rebellious and aggressive? What kind of couple will we be if we are both always being warriors--won't we clash and fight?"

  I don't want to give away too much of my actual post, but the point is, many women in the Bible are seen as being assertive. Sarah, Deborah, Mary with the perfume, the Samaritan woman, etc. all show warrior instincts. I think there's unfortunately some confusion in that there is a vast difference between a woman's relationship with her husband and a woman's relationship with all other men and the community at large. Also, there's a strain of Victorian delicacy that has unfortunately been confused with Biblical teaching on womanhood, but that's a huge can of worms for another day.

  • 1:20 pm
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