I think I know what you are getting at blissisignorance -- based on my childhood homelife -- even though I don't think that being manipulative is more or less the domain of women or men, in or out of the truth.
My mother, whilst not wanting to go to work, would credit my father with being the head of the household and therefore the natural breadwinner.
When she would want to redecorate the house - which was often - she would cite a certain scripture (can't remember exactly which) regarding everything having its time and season.
When the credit card bills came in my mother would smile and nudge my father in the ribs until he recited "Armageddon will soon be here" :¬(
I did not have a partner in the troof so I am not sure about the running to the elders bit and banning certain sexual acts and the other things mentioned.
On another thread didnt some sisters say that JW wives had no rights such as not being able to go to the elders and complain about anything unless the husband was there????
Sounds more like a power struggle than manipulating scriptures or a bit of both. You know to be truthful I think this issues show just how man based gods supossed word is. I mean no one but a supremem being could really fully apply and keep the impossible demands of "God's Word". We are human with desires that need to be filled and with the pressure of today's life added to the pressure of being in the troof is it no wonder that husbands and wives resort to using scriputers and teaching to hide behind or "use".
The wisest words I have ever heard are "be kind to yourself" or "Be gentle on yourself". JW's are living up to unnatural standards and trying to be who they arn't and after a while its impossible to keep the facade up 24 hours a day.
The only words of the bible that I believe in anymore are you reap what you sow. You sow lies you reap lies and so so. But like I said maybe I need some education on this matter!
I have known sisters who ran to the Elders all the time. Those sister got shined on. The Elders I knew rolled their eyes when sister unhappy button holed them to piss in their ears about what the hubby was up to now! But sisters who rarely went to the Elders got an honest listen. It's about crying wolf. The brothers aren't stupid...er...well some are...but anyway most Elders knew who was trying to push their buttons! I have known plenty of non-witness women that should be shot for their cruel ways.
As Doc Love says," If nagging was a domestic abuse crime, the jails would be full...of women, and the bars would all go broke!" Maverick
