Spouse who earns more should pay alimony

While the Women’s Charter should be tweaked, the Ministry of Social and Family Development can do more than helping “incapacitated” men. (“Maintenance could be given based on need, not gender”; July 24)

If a man earns more than his spouse, the divorce settlement is straightforward. If he earns less, his spouse can obtain alimony and the man has no legal recourse.

Even if the court decides that the woman does not require alimony, there is no provision to provide the man with alimony. Men should not have to be “incapacitated” to obtain alimony, they need only earn less.

If the law allowed it, there is no shame in claiming from an ex-wife, especially if the man is the one raising the children.

The ministry is right to take a first step towards recognising this loophole. I would recommend it go further and amend the Charter to cover such a scenario. Such an amendment would not be detrimental to anyone and there is no reason to stick to traditional ideas of gender relations.