@ Kamaa Thanks. Sure,got married at 22 and I am not a lady. Sure wasn’t easy but we put God on the picture and it worked wonders. I’m not complaining or regretting and am still happily married. @ Lyra Respecting a man has everything to do with all those things. As long as you let him be the head of the house,and he lets you be the maker of the home. There is a way that you will still receive and appreciate whatever he makes,no matter how little. You will involve him more in making all decisions in the house and don’t let the money make you arrogant such as to start making arrogantly independent decisions. Even if you are more intelligent the man must also have his qualities and that’s why you married him. Respect shows off in everything if you are up to it. @ Skodhe Inferiority complex it is,and possibly insecurity. He needs to be helped to deal with such things. 'The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” William James

The bible does command husbands to love their wives and wives to respect their husband. Sounds simple but not easy.See,knowing God,he would never ask anyone to do the easy stuff. My simple theory. Love comes easy for most women but they can be the most contemptuous creatures I know(don't mean to offend) They are commanded to learn to respect their men. The good thing about it is that this comes with a reward-a better and fulfilling marriage(not a blissful one). On the other hand,men crave,live and die for respect.It such a big deal to them whatever their station in life. On the other side of the coin,men have no clue how to love.Its not that they are incapable of it or don't love,its just the how. Given that they are living with beings whose love comes naturally,its only natural that they replenish the stock. Women in my opinion thrive and indeed blossom in a loving relationship. Disabuse yourself of the complexities of the union and keep it simple and real. It works. Patience Pays in Guaranteed Checks

@ Pablo - I do hope the men you have in mind that deserve the said 'respect' are those with proven track record in making good decisions? @ Pretty - perfect age for marriage? over 25 and when you know yourself and what you want. Goodluck Disguised Opportunity?

an ideal marriage is not a 'who is smarter now' competition,if anything its not a competition at all,we lose it altogether once we turn it into one. i might be alone in this view but honestly any institution that is meant to be on.. till death is a very serious one to say the least,,,and again dropping the 'i & you' to adopt the 'we' aint that easy either my stay in this world informs me that not even the best of geniuses can make perfect decisions 80% of the time let alone all the time..(remember by 'time' i mean from the time you get married to the time death do u part).. there has to be compromise and this rule has no exemption whether the wife is intelligent or dump if anything intelligence is a term used to describe a property of the mind that encompasses many related abilities,such as the capacities to reason,to plan,to solve problems,to think abstractly,to comprehend ideas,to use language,and to learn Note the underlined words,if the man is the problem and you are intelligent then fix it/him this has no limitation to marriage. you can fix him right from courtship The more you dissagree to agree the stronger the resultant bond anyway. my ideal age for marriage is the age at which both of you can communicate effectively and understand each other and the underlying reasons behind the topic at hand... it can be 18 or 60 for all i care.....but then u must be ready in your own terms..... Its just me whatever choice you make in life make sure that you can live with it.