Chapter 23: Family Relationships
Relationship Mastery โข 18 verses on family harmony principles
Joa teaches that family harmony principles requires absolute equality between partners, where neither male nor female supremacy has any place in a healthy relationship built on mutual respect and shared responsibility.
Violence against your partner - whether emotional, physical, or psychological - is absolutely forbidden and destroys the foundation of family harmony principles, making genuine love and trust impossible.
Both partners must share household responsibilities equally, recognizing that both work and home duties should be distributed based on ability, availability, and fairness rather than outdated gender roles.
The practice of family harmony principles means rejecting the harmful idea that one partner should bear all financial stress while the other focuses only on entertainment or leisure - both must contribute to the partnership's success.
True family harmony principles involves protecting each other from harm, including standing up against family members who show disrespect or abuse toward your partner, regardless of which side of the family they come from.
Joa emphasizes that family harmony principles flourishes when both partners support each other's dreams, careers, and personal growth without jealousy or attempts to control or diminish the other.
The foundation of family harmony principles rests on honest communication where both partners can express their needs, concerns, and boundaries without fear of retaliation or dismissal.
Financial decisions in family harmony principles should be made together with transparency, where both partners understand the family's economic situation and participate in planning for the future.
Domestic violence in any form - hitting, pushing, throwing objects, or threatening harm - is never acceptable and immediately destroys any possibility of genuine family harmony principles.
Healthy family harmony principles means both partners take turns caring for children, elderly family members, and household maintenance based on schedules, skills, and energy rather than assumed gender roles.
Set clear boundaries with extended family about their involvement in your household decisions, child-rearing choices, and relationship dynamics.
Never allow family members to disrespect, insult, or mistreat your partner - your primary loyalty must be to the family you're building together.
Include both sides of the family in celebrations and gatherings fairly, while respecting that some family members may not get along and need separate visits.
Teach children to respect both parents equally and share household responsibilities regardless of gender, modeling the equality you want them to practice.
Handle family conflicts by addressing issues directly with the people involved rather than talking behind backs or expecting your partner to manage your family relationships.
Create new family traditions that reflect your values while honoring positive traditions from both backgrounds that bring joy and connection.
Protect your children from adult family drama, financial stress, and relationship conflicts while still teaching them how to handle disagreements constructively.
Make financial decisions as a nuclear family unit first, then consider extended family needs within your means and priorities.