The civil marriage generally forces the wealthier spouse, "breadwinner", to provide alimony to the former spouse, even after separation and also after a divorce (see also Law and divorce around the world). The legal status of marriage allows each spouse to speak on the others behalf when one is incapacitated (e.g., in a coma); a husband is also responsible for his spouses child(ren) in states where he is automatically assumed to be the biological father. Religion
Christianity
In Christianity, according to the Bible, a husband in a heterosexual marriage has a number of duties:

To present his bride to God throughout their lives as perfectly holy and virtuous as can be. To protect his wife with his own life, physically, emotionally and "spiritually". To "lay down" his life, counting her more important than himself. To lead his wife and his family into the best things for them. To be the best that he can be in Gods power. To not withhold his body from her. Islam
In Islamic marital jurisprudence, husbands are considered protectors of the household and their wives. As protector, the husband has various rights and obligations that he is expected to fulfill and thus is offered opportunities different from that of his wife or wives, not only in legal and economical affairs of the family but within the family as well. As in most cases in Islam law and culture, everything is being related to the Quran. Many Muslims may agree on a perfectly equal relationship.
Buddhism and Chinese folk religions
Chinas family laws were changed by the Communist revolution; and in 1950, the Peoples Republic of China enacted a comprehensive marriage law including provisions giving the spouses equal rights with regard to ownership and management of marital property. Other cultures
In Japan, before enactment of the Meiji Civil Code of 1898, all of the womans property such as land or money passed to her husband except for personal clothing and a mirror stand. Expectation of fidelity
Although there is generally an expectation for a spouse not to have sexual relations with anyone other than his spouse(s), historically, in most cultures, this expectation was not as strong as in the case of wives, a situation which was evident in legal codes which prohibited adultery, with male adultery often being criminalized only if "aggravating" circumstances existed, such as if he brought his mistress into the conjugal home, or if there was public scandal. The double standard was also evident in divorce laws of many countries, such as the UK or Australia, which differentiated between female adultery, which was a ground of adultery by itself, and male adultery, which was a ground only under certain circumstances. This double standard continues to be seen today in many parts of the world.