Your Future Husband’s Expectations of a Wife

In a marriage, people do expect certain things from each other. But most expectations are personal issues between marriage partners and are not regulated by Canadian law. For example, decisions as to who will work, who will do the cooking, cleaning, and shopping, and whether or not to have children are decided by each individual couple in Canada. You, as a married spouse, have the same rights as a single person under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Having Children

In Canada, all women have the right to reproductive choice. This means that you can choose when or if you want to have children. This also means that you have the right to seek medical care and to use contraception (birth control) to prevent pregnancy if you wish to do so. You are not legally obligated to have children and your spouse cannot legally force you.

Caring for In-Laws

As a married spouse, you are also not legally obligated to care for your spouse’s parents, even if they are living with you. The choice to look after your in-laws is to be decided by you and your spouse.

Working Outside of the Home

To work or not to work is your choice. No one has the legal right to stop you from working if you want to work. You will need to have the proper immigration status that entitles you to work in Canada. It is a good idea to discuss the issue of work with your future husband to prevent misunderstanding.

Other legal rights of husbands and wives can be found in the section “What are your rights in marriage?”