He is especially jealous of anything that might interfere with the believer's devotion to him. It prevents close emotional attachment between men and women, thereby, ensuring complete devotion to the Muslim God. His many wives are available to the husband any time he desires them. However, he is expected to adhere to a rotation system and to not choose favorites. In fact, he is expected to resist any desire that he has for a particular wife.
Repudiation is also a male priviledge.
Mernissi once again takes a WEstern perspective when she describes how Psychoanalytic theory divides society between two poles, one that emphasizes the mother-child relationship and one the marital bond. Muslim societies clearly emphasize the mother-child bond. I don't see this divide as that sharp in real society. Mernissi then says that the mother-son bond is strengthened, not weakened, upon the son's marriage. Officially, this is supposed to be the father's role.