Great responsibilities lie on the shoulders of men. The man is the head of his wife just as Christ is the head of the church; he is to love his wife just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her; the man ought to provide (in all respect) for his household, else he has denied the faith; he is to see and hear God for his family- he is the priest of his house; he is also to watch over his own home spiritually and physically; he is responsible for training up the children without provoking them to anger; and most importantly, he would give account to God of how he managed his home.
When men fail, the society mourns, families lose direction, structures are crushed, women and children are heartbroken. A dysfunctional society is born out of dysfunctional families often times led by dysfunctional men. Eli's entire lineage came under a curse because of his failure as a father. I have met some children raised by failed fathers, and it is entirely disheartening what havoc had been done to their spirits- some fathers need to apologise to God and their families. With no disregard for single mothers and widows, I believe there is a limit to what a woman can do (alone) in raising her children.
Every man should have a clear vision (from God) to guide his family and this must be known to all members of the family. What does God expect of your family? And what should the society expect from your family?
The family should be a place to nurture destinies; a channel to perpetuate grace and a medium to influence society for God- it's not just a father, mother and children relationship. Single ladies, do not marry a boy or a baby no matter his age or possessions, wait until you have a real man to marry. And women please submit to your own husbands as unto the Lord; honour, respect and help them in the performance of their enormous responsibilities- you'd be doing the world a lot of good.
Eph. 5:22-25, 1Tim. 5:8, 1Sam. 2:27-36.
_PEACE!