Role Of A Wife: 17 Things To Do For A Happy Marriage

A WIfe Feeding Her Husband With Love

Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team

A supportive wife helps a man push his limits, achieve his dreams, and be successful in life. So what exactly is the role of a wife in a man’s life? We answer the question in this post. A good wife brings positive changes in a man. She, as a partner, guides him to the right path and stands by him through thick and thin. She takes care of the children and manages everything at home, almost single-handedly. She is a multitasker and a caregiver who manages work and home with precision. Keep reading this post as we discuss the part a wife plays in a man’s life and why she is a role model and indispensable to her family.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • A wife should provide unconditional love, physical and emotional support to her husband.
  • A husband’s dignity should be upheld by his wife who must also support him in all his endeavors and be available.
  • A wife must respect her husband and in-laws, while responsibly fulfilling her household duties.
  • For a successful marriage, patience and emotional fulfillment are important factors.
  • Mutual respect, value for each other’s opinions, and agreement to disagree can contribute to a successful marriage.

The Role Of A Wife

As society views it, women must balance their traditional domestic roles with their ambitions to succeed in the workforce. However, the perception of women’s roles differs globally, with 57% of Americans believing in the positive impact of having more women in government and companies. In comparison, 41% stick to the notion that women should focus solely on motherhood and being good wives.

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A global perspective on the role of women

Source: How The World Sees The Role Of Women; Ipsos MORI

But what does being a “good wife” entail? Let’s delve deeper into the duties of this new phase of life.

  1. Love him unconditionally: In a marriage, a man wants to be liked, loved and appreciated just like a woman does. As a wife, lover, and a nurturer, give unconditional love to your husband physically and emotionally. Appreciate him generously and nurture him as your child. And what do you get in return? His unconditional love, of course.
  1. Help him: Who said men don’t need help? All of us need help and support. Become your husband’s helping hand and his number-one supporter during tough times. Whenever he seeks your help, be proactive in supporting him. He will do the same when you require his assistance. Become a team collaborator while dealing with your lives.
Wife assisting husband at work

Image: Created with Dall·E

  1. Keep his honor/ dignity: Don’t talk negatively about your husband to your family, friends, or relatives. Don’t fight with him or criticize him in front of others. Don’t indulge in gossiping about your husband. If you have any issues, sort it out between the two of you. Always remember that you are his confidante and he trusts you the most.
  1. Support him: A wife should stand by her husband and work together as a team. Whether it is daily routines or achieving long-term goals, you need to support your husband in all his ventures and endeavors. He will be glad to have you beside him as a teammate in every step he takes.

Stressing the importance of supporting your husband and being considerate, a homemaker and anonymous blogger says, “My husband loves his job. He likes the company he works for and he’s very good at what he does. Even though this on-call portion of his job is very difficult, it’s worth it in the long run. So I make sure that my husband’s needs are met so that he can focus entirely on work (i).”

Supporting and caring for her husband

Image: IStock

  1. Be available: A wife needs her husband’s company, and a husband needs his wife’s. You are each other’s companion for life. Be there for him when he wants to talk to you. Listen to him and advise him if required, and take care of his needs. It shows that you love and care for him. Support him and be his genuine advisor.
  1. Respect him: Respect is mutual. Value his opinions and respect him for what he is. If you disagree with him, do not disrespect him but put across your point softly. When you give respect, you earn respect.
protip_icon Did you know?
Intimacy and compliments from a wife can warm the cockles of a man’s heart and make him love her even more.
  1. Fulfill his needs: Cook for him, take care of him when he is unwell or uplift his mood when he is stressed out, just like he fulfills your needs.
  1. Be faithful to your husband: Once married, you have to remain loyal and committed to your husband, no matter what. Do not give him scope to question your faithfulness. And expect the same from him.
  1. Seek his opinion: When you seek your husband’s opinion, it doesn’t make you any lesser. In fact, it shows you value his opinion and respect him. Let him be your counselor whenever you need some advice.
  1. Cook for him: Dish out healthy meals for your husband as well as you. Avoid the temptation of grabbing some junk food on the way to work. You may ask your husband to help you in the kitchen, and that could be a good way to spend more time with each other. Be each other’s helpers to make mundane work easier and more enjoyable.
Wife cooking with husband

Image: IStock

  1. Respect your in-laws: Irrespective of the differences in culture or lifestyle, respect them as they are your husband’s parents; you would want your husband to respect your parents, wouldn’t you?
protip_icon Do remember
Shower him with all the love and affection, but making sure you are emotionally fulfilled and happy in the marriage is also important.
  1. Take care of household duties: Keep the house in order, tidy and clean. Seek help from your husband and children. Taking help will also allow you to become a good homemaker. Allot them some duties to do every day. This way, each person feels responsible for their role in the family.
  1. Be responsible: Being a responsible wife is a blessing to the family because she knows what to do and how to do. Be responsible in running the household, being the budgeter of your home, planner of important events, and taking care of your children.
Wife doing laundry

Image: IStock

  1. Be patient: Patience doesn’t come easily. When you are multi-tasking every day with your responsibilities at home, and things don’t go as you plan, the last thing you think about is patience. But try having it and you will not regret it. Imagine, you are in a hurry to rush to work, your husband asks you something silly and you blast him. But later in the day, you realize that he was only trying to be playful with you. Had you been more patient in the morning, the day would have been better both for you and your husband.

protip_icon Point to consider
You and your spouse need not be on the same page on every aspect. Agreeing to disagree can also contribute to marital bliss.

  1. Educate your children: Parenting is the responsibility of both the mother and father. However, a mother plays a significant role as an educator and mentor in their children’s lives, as she understands them inside-out, and has the patience and time to sit with them.
  1. Safeguard your home: You must protect your home from strangers and people who try to inject venomous thoughts in your family members. You should also keep away from individuals who have a lot of negativity in them.
  1. Take care of yourself: No, this is not the last thing to do. In fact, you should focus on yourself before you take care of others because your family can be happy and healthy only if you are happy and healthy. Don’t burden yourself with responsibilities. You may be a good house organizer but seek help from the others in the family, take a break from being the housekeeper and relax. This will keep you smiling and a smiling wife will be the most pleasing thing to see for a husband.
Woman indulging in skincare and me-time

Image: IStock

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How should a wife treat her husband?

A wife should treat her husband with love and respect. A good wife is her husband’s best friend, guide, critic, and cheerleader. So, reiterate your love and show you care for him through your actions.

2. How can a wife support her husband?

Lend him a listening ear when he wants to talk and cheer him up when he feels down. Be emotionally available, encourage him to pursue his dreams, be a good listener, motivator, and make sure you always have his back.

3. How to be a responsible wife?

Try to understand your husband and accept him the way he is. One of the best qualities of a good wife is the ability to communicate openly and honestly, sharing your thoughts and feelings while addressing differences promptly. Shun unrealistic expectations and keep things light to foster a supportive and harmonious relationship.

The role of a wife in a marriage is essential to bring positivity and keep the family stronger. As a wife, when you fully embrace this multifaceted role it enhances the marriage and leads to a more harmonious family life. Husbands need love, compassion, care, respect, and support from their better half to push their limits and achieve life goals. Your love and encouragement can be his power. Try to be a problem-solver for him as he might not always be able to take care of everything. Most women take charge of household duties and care and education of their children. You may maintain your dignity and self-respect while caring for your husband and family. It is also important to find time for yourself and achieve your life goals. By balancing personal aspirations with supportive partnership, you can create a nurturing environment for yourself and your family.

Infographic: A Good Wife Can Ensure A Happier Marital Life

Everyone seeks love and respect in a marriage. As a wife, you can ensure they accomplish a few basic needs and criteria to keep their marriage and family happy and fulfilling. Here is an infographic that helps you with practical suggestions to follow to excel in your role as a wife.

things a wife should do for a happy marriage (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

What do you think about the role of the wife in a marriage? Let us know in the comments section below.

Women have an indispensable role in the marriage. Learn how to prioritize your responsibilities to have a successful marriage and be a great partner to your husband.

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Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-Goyena
Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-GoyenaPhD (Counseling Psychology)
Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-Goyena is a board licensed therapist in the USA and Puerto Rico with a specialty in couples, families, and relationships. Dr. Carlos possesses a PhD in Counseling Psychology granted at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.

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Kalpana M
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Kalpana Nadimpalli graduated in English Literature and Psychology. Her fascination for the corporate world made her do a Masters in Business Administration from Andhra University. Being a mother of two boys, she could naturally fit into the shoes of a writer at MomJunction.

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Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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