Why should a spouse be entitled to maintaining a certain quality of life after marriage, when that QoL was a benefit of the marriage?

[Anonymous]

Referring to alimony. With that same logic, why wouldn't we force both spouses to maintain the QoL of the other one, in other ways? How about some forced sexual favors and chores so they don't lose their QoL? Super humane way of thinking...

[slatyb]

What was she doing during the marriage? Putting her career on hold to maintain the home and care for the children? Alimony is just an inadequate way of trying to get her back to the position she would have been if she had not married.

[Asker]

She? This was a gender neutral question, so I'm not sure why you're bringing that up. Alimony is a math equation, not an acknowledgement of someone putting their career on hold. They could be a deadbeat and it's the same formula. They could be a minimum wage worker and do zero around the house, and it's the same formula. If you can't have an honest conversation, don't talk.

[Nikki1989]

The specific rights and entitlements of a spouse after marriage will depend on the individual circumstances of the relationship and the laws in their jurisdiction. No need to be so sexist about it.

[Asker]

Who was being sexist about it? Maybe just you since you took a blatantly gender neutral question and assumed gender. Well done.

[petitedollbabee]

I’m glad alimony doesn’t exist here.