Happily Ever After

By Anonymous

 Yadhira Ramirez 

Professor Villegas

Happily Ever After?

In the picture above demonstrates a bride and groom’s commitment to one another in front of the officiant/ priest. This picture is interesting because it portrays the typical traditional wedding where the bride wears white as a symbol of purity and “giving herself” to her husband. Marianne Weber brings awareness to the idea that marriage is patriarchal, especially when it comes to the superiority that men have over women. For example she states “ For the man is not from the woman, but the woman from the man. And the man is not created for the good of the woman, but rather the woman is created for the good of the man” (87). Based on Weber's idea of marriage, the woman is supposed to change herself for the better and satisfy the man’s needs. The woman is going to become the typical housewife and will have to make sure that her husband is content. The initiation of a matrimony begins as the woman has to prove herself not only to her husband, but also to God that she is pure and ready to play the role of a pure wife. Furthermore, the church declares that “God Himself had also determined the relations of the partners. He created for the husband a “helper” and imposed on her the Word: “Your will shall be subordinate to your husband and he shall be your master” (87). One of the ways that women subordinate to men is by making the commitment in front of the officiant. This officiant who has the closest connection to God is typically a man who continues this idea that marriage holds patriarchal values. Overall, giving male figure’s higher authority in religion demonstrates that men will always hold entitlement over women especially in marriage.


Weber, Marianne. 2003. “Authority and Autonomy in Marriage.” Sociological Theory 21(2): 85-102.  

Eldredge, B., 2022. Moments of Return For Young Adults in the Catholic Church. Catechist's Journey. Retrieved 21 April 2022.


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