配偶可互查财产:公平让爱更长久
经济观察报·2025-10-15 10:11

Core Viewpoint - The essence of spousal property inquiry is the state's intervention in the private domain of families to balance economic discourse within marriage, addressing issues like gender pay gaps and discrimination against women in the workplace, but it does not tackle the root causes of economic inequality between genders [2][4][5]. Group 1: Legislative Developments - Guangdong has become the latest province to legislate mutual property inquiry between spouses, effective January 1, 2026, allowing couples to check each other's property, including real estate and vehicles [3]. - Previous regulations in Hebei and Jiangsu provinces also allowed mutual property inquiries, with Hebei including stock ownership, while Fujian's upcoming regulation only permits women to inquire about their spouse's property [3]. Group 2: Gender Inequality in Economic Status - Legislative measures are framed under the premise that women are the vulnerable group in traditional Chinese families, necessitating protection, especially in divorce property division [4]. - Despite modern views promoting gender equality, economic disparities persist in marriages, where men are often seen as the primary earners, while women's contributions, particularly in household labor, are undervalued [4][5]. Group 3: Societal Narratives and Economic Contributions - Traditional narratives often reinforce the idea of "men as providers," undermining the concept of "joint property" and the valuation of domestic labor [5]. - The legal framework of "joint property" implies equal contribution from both partners, yet practical implementation remains challenging without specific institutional designs [5]. Group 4: Future Perspectives on Gender Equality - Current academic discussions on improving gender economic status often remain theoretical, but the fourth industrial revolution, characterized by AI and robotics, may offer unprecedented opportunities to break existing patterns [6]. - A potential shift in employment models could allow both men and women to gain more autonomy over their time, leading to a more equitable distribution of economic power within marriages [6].