FRANCE: Head of the Family

Napoleon I decreed the Code which today is still the basis of French law, and the Emperor made no bones about saddling French women with various legal disabilities of which many a virile soldier would approve.* Last week several of these shackles were struck off by a bill which originated in the Senate, was passed into law by the Chamber. It did not give French women the vote, did cancel at one stroke the network of laws under which a French wife has been almost as much under her husband's authority as though...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!