Wives are now as legally responsible as their husbands for the management of the family. This includes moral and material organization of the family, payment of debts, upbringing of children, selection of a family residence, and so on. In keeping with the principle of equality, both spouses must now keep their own names. Because husband and wife are equal in the eyes of the law, they have the same rights and responsibilities toward each other. They have an obligation to live together and must be faithful and respectful to each other.
Marriage also entails obligations of economic nature.
There is the obligation to help and assist, that is the obligation, of each spouse, to see to the other's essential needs if the latter is unable to do so himself. These essential needs are food, lodging and clothing. There is also the obligation to contribute to marital expenses. According to this principle, both spouses must enjoy the same standard of living even if their contributions are not equal. Each partner must share in the household expenditures in proportion to his or her revenue and overall means.