
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 6, 1992                   TAG: 9203060464
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FRENCHWOMAN'S LOT ISN'T EASY

I AM BECOMING a bit weary of men such as Joe Steffen (letter, Feb. 22) commenting on the broad-mindedness of the French and the ability of the Frenchman, including politicians, to keep a mistress and not fear divorce or censure as our politicians do. French divorce law is very different from ours.

Unless the law has drastically changed in recent years, a divorced Frenchwoman loses everything except whatever wealth she brought into the marriage. She also loses the children. Children are the property of the father. Her chances for good, self-supporting employment are also less than ours, and ours is bad enough.

In other words, unless she has been able somehow to become financially independent, the Frenchwoman who divorces her husband for adultery can find herself in the street with not much more than the clothes on her back. The baby nursing at her breast is given to the father.

On the other hand, should her husband decide to divorce her because she resents his mistress, she can find herself in the streets with not much more than the clothes on her back. This is called pro-family legislation.

French custom does say that a gentleman should be discreet and not embarrass his family with his "affairs." French custom also says a true gentleman does not come home early unannounced.

. LEE FITZGERALD FINCASTLE

by CNB