New law requires kids to do their fair share of housework and 'take a positive attitude' to schoolwork

In a drive for 'full equality' and to help women get back into the job market, children aged 18 or under who have not left home are expected to assist with domestic chores as they are legally obliged to 'participate in all aspects of family life'.

The exact text says they are 'jointly responsible' for 'caring for the home and carrying out housework', and that this is irrespective of 'age or gender' – although a minimum age has not been placed on this new requirement, leaving it open to speculation as to whether or not babies or toddlers who are too young to pick up a duster could be exempt.

Children, under the draft bill of law, are required to 'treat their parents and teachers with respect' and to 'take a positive attitude' towards their schoolwork. This said, nowhere in the draft law are sanctions for kids who are rude to grown-ups, lazy around the house and do little work in class explained – and enforcing the law could be difficult anyway, since in the event of civil 'offences', minors' parents are legally liable for their actions. It could lead to the bizarre situation of parents being fined because their own children are impolite to them or leave them to do all the cleaning and ironing.

Already, however, men who are married to or co-habiting with women may find not helping out at home costs them dearly, especially where childcare is involved. Nine years ago, marriage and civil partnership contracts were amended to require men to do their fair share of housework, looking after kids and caring for elderly relatives, rather than leaving it all to their wives. But it is not clear where the man stands if it is his wife who does not help out, nor whether two women married to each other face legal action if one of them does not do her fair share. Recent divorce cases have seen ex-wives given a larger settlement because of having brought up the children or carried out all the domestic chores single-handedly.

The new child protection law, which covers kids' rights and duties – including housework, trying hard at school and being respectful of others – stipulates in writing that anyone convicted of child abuse, be it violence or paedophilia, may not have a job that involves contact with children, such as working as a teacher.

They would have been screened out anyway, but the legislation will make it illegal for anyone to 'give them a second chance'.

Also, anyone working with children who suspects one or more of them are being abused would be committing a criminal offence by not reporting the matter.