Negotiations of Power by MENA Women: A Social Scientific Sounding

Anthropologists recognize that male domination in MENA cultures (Patriarchalism) is a myth to which both men and women pay lip service. To challenge the myth is to jeopardize the assurances its observance gives to both men and women. In the domestic sphere, however, women wield considerable power which men reluctantly allow mainly in order to have peace (Prov 19:13; 21:9, 19; 27:15). Such inequality of power characterizes all cultures. Cross-cultural research explains the nature of this inequality, and how men and women negotiate serves a higher place in the Christian understanding of salvation. This has implications for Christian life and practice.