A husband is a male in a marital relationship, who may also be referred to as a spouse. The rights and obligations of a husband regarding his spouse and others, and his status in the community and in law, vary between societies and cultures, and have varied over time. In monogamous cultures, there are only two parties to a marriage, which is enforced by laws against bigamy and polygamy. Traditionally, the husband was regarded as the head of the household and was expected to be the sole provider or breadwinner, a role that continues in some cultures (sometimes described as paternalistic). Today, a husband is not necessarily considered the breadwinner of the family, especially if his spouse has a more financially rewarding occupation or career. In such cases, it is not uncommon for a husband to be considered a stay-at-home father if the married couple have children. The term continues to be applied to such a man who has separated from his spouse and ceases to be applied to him only when his marriage has come to an end following a legally recognized divorce or the death of his spouse. On the death of his spouse, a husband is referred to as a widower; after a divorce a man may be referred to as the "ex-husband" of his former spouse. Origin and etymology
The term husband refers to Middle English huseband, from Old English hūsbōnda, from Old Norse hūsbōndi (hūs, house + bōndi, būandi, present participle of būa, to dwell, so, etymologically, a householder).
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.