Hangdawg,
"Men and women are only reduced to behaving as children when they lack authority. . . "
If you had stopped there it would have made sense. As a parent, I found that much of my childrens whining, nagging and outright manipulation came from their feelings of powerlessness and consequent frustration. When I treated them with respect, they generally responded very reasonably.
It is of course possible to maintain a degree of dignity when deprived of reasonable authority but in a marriage, why on earth should it be necessary? Two mature individuals with love and respect for each other, and a commitment to live together do not need a relationship of overseer and "dignified(!)" drudge.
Have you any reason to suppose otherwise, apart from "St Paul said"?