Doing his part

last updated 8 January 2015

Madrid

Spanish lawmakers introduced a new marriage contract this week that stipulates men must do half the housework. The new vows will be used in civil marriage ceremonies starting this autumn. Wives won’t be able to take their husbands to court for being lazy, but in the case of divorce, a husband who has done less than his share will have to pay more alimony. “Men have to learn to start taking more responsibility in the home,” said Margarita Uria, the member of parliament who authored the bill, “and women have to help them do it.” A recent survey found that 40 percent of Spanish men do no household chores whatsoever, even if their wives work outside the home.