THE UNFORTUNATE SON IN-LAW.

"And a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife" . This may not be the most popular verse in the Bible, but it is not alien to anyone, everyone.

There is this thing about "specific instructions". It spells out exactly what should be done in a particular situation, leaving an ocean-wide range of activities its dictates does not cover.

Marriage is a union between two individuals. The dangers of interference by other parties are well-known. People in many quarters are quick to applaud the "man shall leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife" Bible specification, but under our noses, there is a rising incidence of daughters who are unable to leave their parents and cleave to their husbands. There is an increasing number of daughters who are yet to cut the apron string of their parents.

There are some families where the choice of food they cook, house they live-in, number of children they will give birth to, jobs they do, etc are deliberated and decided by the parents of the wife.

During the solemization ceremony, Priests usually call out parents of the bride and groom, and expressly inform them not to interfere in the marriage of their children. But we all know how that goes. We all know how difficult it is to obey simple instructions.

In defence of the parents, some only try to guide the couple, dominating or dictating their affairs is not their intention. While some parents plainly believe that their children's marriage is an extension of their responsibility, and so they must preside over it.

True, no one would be happy if their daughter is mistreated in her matrimonial home, but hovering over the marriage in other to ensure the comfort and happiness of the said daughter makes a caricature of holy matrimony.

"Eagle-eye in-laws", as I call them thrive better when the son in law is in a lower economic standing as them. And in an effort to please, "not offend" the in-laws, they allow themselves to be subjugated to many things. We all know how a good daughter in-law is one who is loyal, agreeable, "non-confrontational", hardworking, etc. Imagine a man being all these.

Little is known about what some husbands live through in the hands of their in-laws,as well as other pain many men endure in their lives. We have all heard classic tales of what some women live through in the hands of their in laws. Well, some men live through that as well. And for peace to reign, the son in law must endeavor to remain in good standing with the in-laws. Some inlaws are easy to relate with, while some others are just not. And you know human beings can be unkind, and mindless while ill-treating others.

If you have never seen an emasculated man before, look around and find a husband whose matrimonial home is run by his in-laws.