ABSTRACT

The institutions of marriage, and family and the courtship process leading to participation in these institutions, are intricately linked with sex roles in Christ Communal Organization (CCO), as they are in the larger society. The sex roles within CCO are clearly defined and easily differentiated. Role expectations are outlined clearly and simply, and most members seem to hold the same general expectations for each role position. Females in any position are expected to be submissive; as sisters they are to be submissive to males in the commune, before marriage they are to bow to the wishes of their fiances, and as wives they are to be submissive to their husbands. Women are viewed as being weaker vessels than men, more emotional, nurturant and docile, but to a degree, they are simultaneously viewed as sensuous beings and as temptresses. Role categories available to males are also relatively few in number, although more numerous than those available to females.