The Value of a Full-Time Housewife Must Be Seen! — Insights from a Divorce Case

Journalist: Lawyer Tang, more and more people are discussing the value of full-time mothers. Have you handled any related cases?

Tang Yunhong Lawyer: 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. However, at this time, Ms. Li discovered that her husband had an affair and proposed a divorce.
Journalist: That's too heartbreaking! How does the law determine the value of a full-time mother?
Tang Yunhong Lawyer: 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.
Journalist: How did you help Ms. Li to fight for her rights?
Tang Yunhong Lawyer: 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 (her monthly salary was 20,000 yuan before she resigned), detailed records of taking care of the family for ten years, and chat records between Ms. Li and her neighbors and teachers proving that she devoted herself to taking care of her children.
Journalist: How was the case finally decided?
Tang Yunhong Lawyer: The judgment result is reassuring! 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.
Journalist: Do you have any suggestions for full-time mothers?
Tang Yunhong Lawyer: I often tell my female friends: first, pay attention to keeping evidence of taking care of the family; second, understand the family's financial situation. Even if you do not participate in direct management and operation, you should know what assets and liabilities the family has, and where the other party has bank accounts; third, use legal weapons. When your rights and interests are violated, be brave enough to seek rights through legal channels.
Journalist:What do you think the case has inspired the society?
The inspiration 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 identification of the value of domestic labor when hearing similar cases.
I remember that after the case was over, Ms. Li started a business to help those full-time mothers who encountered similar situations. She said she wanted to turn her own experience into the power to help others, and this transformation moved me a lot.