The Value of a Full-time Housewife Must Be Seen!——Revelations from a Divorce Case
Author: Dao Hua Marriage and Family Law FirmDate: 2026-05-18Reads:times
Reporter:Mr. Tang, more and more people are discussing the value of full-time mothers. Have you handled any related cases?
Attorney Tang Yunhong: This case is indeed very representative. The party, Ms. Li, is one of the most pitiful parties I have ever encountered. She and her husband were classmates in university and got married in 2008. After marriage, in order to support her husband's entrepreneurship, Ms. Li resigned from her position as a manager in a foreign enterprise and devoted herself to taking care of the family. Her husband's business grew larger and larger, and by 2018, the annual income of the company had exceeded ten million. But at this time, Ms. Li discovered that her husband had an affair and filed for divorce.
Reporter: That's too heartbreaking! How does the law determine the value of a full-time mother?
Attorney Tang Yunhong: This is the key to the issue. The Civil Code indeed states that domestic labor has value, but there is no explicit provision in the law on how much it is worth. Therefore, we need to find a way to "prove" this value.
Reporter: How did you help Ms. Li fight for her rights?
Attorney Tang Yunhong: The process was indeed full of twists and turns. Initially, the husband only agreed to give Ms. Li 1 million yuan as a "breakup fee" and did not recognize the value of her domestic labor.
We presented a large amount of evidence in court, including proof of Ms. Li's resignation from her career (she earned 20,000 yuan per month before resignation), detailed records of taking care of the family for ten years, and chat records with neighbors and teachers proving her full-time care of the children.
Reporter: How was the case decided in the end?
Attorney Tang Yunhong: The judgment was gratifying! Ms. Li not only received 60% of the property but also received compensation for domestic labor and was awarded custody of the child. This judgment is particularly meaningful as it allows the whole society to see the value of full-time mothers.
Reporter: Do you have any suggestions for full-time mothers?
Attorney Tang Yunhong: I often tell my female friends: first, be sure to keep evidence of taking care of the family; second, understand the family's financial situation. Even if you do not participate directly in management and operations, you should know what assets and liabilities the family has, and where the other party has accounts in which banks; third, use legal weapons. When your rights and interests are violated, be brave enough to seek rights through legal channels.
Reporter: What do you think this case can启示 to society?
The启示 of this case is profound. First, it makes more people realize that domestic labor is not "free" but has value. Second, it warns the dominant party in marriage to respect the other party's contributions. Finally, it also promotes the progress of our legal circle, and now more judges pay more attention to the recognition of the value of domestic labor when handling similar cases.
I remember that after the case was over, Ms. Li started her own business, specializing in helping full-time mothers who have encountered similar situations. She said she wants to turn her own experience into a force to help others, which deeply moved me.