Submissive wife, happy marriage?

I came across this article in Today a few days ago. At that point in time I felt like penning my thoughts but too tied up to write anything.

Of course being a non-participant in the sacred institution of marriage, I am far from an authority on this subject but that is not going to stop me from voicing my two cents worth. Statistically, divorce rates are on the rise. Over the same period non verifiable data would show that women are getting fiercer (okay, admittedly that was a cheap shot). Is women liberation then to blame for the collapse of marriage then?

My simple unqualified view is no, but that does not mean that I disagree with the statement regarding submission. Sounds like a self-contradiction? Let me explain myself. It is a matter of definition. My idea of a submissive woman is not a doormat that will shut up if her boyfriend or husband even raises her voice and has absolutely no opinion of her own. Rather, submission is simply yielding to authority, or the transference of authority. That is not synonymous to being inferior or in a weaker position; in fact it provides greater freedom.

Simple illustration to drive across my point:
Boy: Where do you want to eat tonight?
Girl: Up to you, you decide. (Submission)
Boy: Japanese food?
Girl: We had it yesterday. (Simple statement of fact, not challenge of authority)
Boy: How about Korean food?
Girl: Too oily. (Again, not violation of being submissive)
Boy: Why don’t you decide then?
Girl: Because you are the man.

If on the other hand,
Boy: Where do you want to eat tonight?
Girl: Up to you, you decide.
Boy: Japanese food?
Girl: Okay.
Boy: Oh, I forgot you hate Jap food.
Girl: You like can already, doesn’t matter.
This is not submission, it is complete surrender.

At the other end of the spectrum,
Boy: I want to eat Jap food.
Girl: We had it yesterday.
Boy: The bus stop is over there, you can go home if you don’t want to eat that.
This would be a total MCP.

I believe in every relationship, both parties are equally important. Just because the male is the decision maker and the authority does not mean that he can lord over his partner. Being the head of the household simply means that more responsibilities are thrust his way and it is his duty to make sure the decision pleases the parties involved. Just like the Prime Minister is the head of the country, but the President still has veto powers and important decisions have to be endorsed by a Parlimentary majority.