Household Code

Household code refers to an organized set of ethical or social guidelines that regulate behavior within the household. These codes outline expected responsibilities, authority structures, and patterns of conduct among family members and dependents. Found in ancient philosophical, Jewish, and early Christian writings, household codes aim to promote order, stability, and harmony by aligning domestic relationships with wider social and moral expectations. Rather than describing everyday reality, they present ideal models of behavior that reflect broader views of hierarchy, responsibility, and communal life.