This idiom is very misunderstood because over time it has changed the way and the word woman today is understood as a "wife". Or in some case refers to a woman is modified with "husband". We will see that the original meaning of that is completely different but the truth will amaze you. The saying is of Arab origin, to be exact Muslim.
The idiom is part of the sunnah Muslim and was broadcast by Albukhary and tells of a man who went to Muhammad and asked: "O messenger of God, who should I be loyal (having respect) and good? " And he said " Your mother", the man chese again "and then? " Muhammad replied again "Your mother", the man cheise again "and then? " and Muhammad answered again "your mother", again questioned the man and Muhammad said "your father" (this is the literal translation lawyer Pasquini, I chose this because it is the one that comes closest to the translation of the words ).
As you can see the importance that is given to the mother in the first place, this is because in many religions the mother is carrying the child, gives birth, the nurses, takes him in her arms, educates him with a force it is not remarkable that like no other only in fourth place is the father and it is not mentioned "husband or wife" that are definitely below the 4th place.
This said, it denotes respect that the men and women must to their mother and his father before all others and certainly it is noted that the mother is the main architect of what will be his son (with some exceptions for rare cases) .
So you can well understand that the woman referred to by the said is the mother and not his wife.
The saying has come to be staggered in a way so striking after the second half of the nineteenth century, has been misused on businessmen and especially politicians.
The saying is especially distorted to "glorify" excessively men who would not give due importance to the toadies on duty that needed to support important or narcissistic men who would otherwise be unable and he want vainglory their actions continue to thank his wife for important place got.
Rashna