Actress Candace Cameron Bure, a devoted Christian, is not afraid to let the world know that she is a happily submissive wife who lets her husband lead her household. In her newest book, Balancing It All: My Story of Juggling Priorities and Purpose, Bure acknowledges that her husband, former hockey player Valeri Bure, is the decision-maker of the house and honors the Biblical definition of "submission."
In an excerpt of her book, Bure explained this role by writing the following: "My husband is a natural-born leader. I quickly learned that I had to find a way of honoring his take-charge personality and not get frustrated about his desire to have the final decision on just about everything. I am not a passive person, but I chose to fall into a more submissive role in our relationship because I wanted to do everything in my power to make my marriage and family work."
For fans of the former teen idol, this comes as she and her brother Kirk Cameron, are devoted Christians who have been outspoken on their faith and beliefs. However, Bure's role as the "submissive housewife" has not been well-received by non-Christians and feminists, including HLN host Jane Velez-Mitchell, who believe that Bure's conservative and Biblical view of marriage is backtracking women's rights and progression. Marie Claire magazine tweeted "Thanks Candace Cameron, for setting women back approximately a billion years...," alluding that Bure is promoting male domination over women.
Responding to the controversy, Bure remains unhinged by the backlash and continues to stand by her beliefs. In response, Bure recently clarified her comments on Headline News about the Biblical perspective of marriage that has worked for her 17-year marriage. "I think the word "submissive" sounds so ugly to so many people, especially when they don't understand the biblical definition of the word," said Bure during her interview with HLN. "I think they're thinking of it in terms of a perverted Fifty Shades of Grey kind of definition, or an oppression, or even a dictatorship. And that is not what I'm talking about."
While Bure has received criticism for her view on wives submitting to her husbands, there has also been a lot of fans and supporters who have respected Bure's views. VH1 reality star Tammy Roman agreed with Bure stating, "I think I agree with her. In a relationship, there should be someone who takes on more of a leadership role." More support came from CelebTV.com's Kelli Zink who also agreed with Bure. "I'm a career woman, I have been for 34 years, but with my boyfriend I take a submissive role,"
Bure, who admitted to be surprised about the controversy during her sit-down with Australia's Today, continues to promote her book about balancing work, home and marriage and how to prioritize the many duties of life. During the interview, Bure said that she is comfortable using the word "submissive" because it is the Biblical definition that she was taught.
"It's meekness. The Bible says to obey meekly. Meekness is not weakness, it's strength under control. My husband does not dominate me. He leads my family."
Despite her Full House days behind her, Bure continues to write books, produce and star in films and has three children with husband Valeri Bure. Balancing It All: My Story of Juggling Priorities and Purpose is her second book following her debut release of Reshaping It All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness, which are both now available.
