Evangelical Marriages

Evangelical marriages have historically stressed patriarchal domination and gender‐essentialist roles for husbands and wives. However, research has shown that, although patriarchy does exist, evangelical husbands are more affectionate, appreciative, and understanding of their wives than their nonevangelical counterparts. Further, as opposed to nonevangelicals, evangelical husbands also spend more time socializing with their wives and commit fewer acts of domestic violence. These findings led B. Bradford Wilcox to label evangelical husbands “soft patriarchs.” This entry explores the development of gender‐essentialist ideologies in evangelicalism as well as four explanations for the soft patriarch phenomenon. Additionally, this entry provides areas for future research, particularly in light of the contrasting marital attitudes between Baby Boomer and post‐Boomer evangelicals.