The Fundamentals of Marriage and Family Legislation in the USSR and in the Union republics contain the following statement: "In accordance with the equal rights for men and women, granted by the Constitution of the USSR, men and women enjoy equal personal and property rights in their family relationships" (Article 3). Soviet law permits marriage to be entered into only by mutual consent of the parties, who are thereby enabled freely to choose their marriage partners. There is no requirement for the agreement of parents or of anybody else to the marriage to be obtained, and this guarantees full freedom in the choice of partner. The spouses - husband and wife - enjoy equal rights and have equal obligations within marriage, and in the event of the dissolution of a marriage. Protecting the interests of mothers, the law obliges husbands to support their wives, whether or not they are able to work, during their pregnancy and during the first year after the birth of the child. The father and mother have equal rights and duties where their children are concerned; these rights remain equal even after the parents' marriage has been dissolved. The parents' rights and duties with respect to their children remain absolutely equal even if the child was born outside marriage, provided that paternity has been established either by both parents registering this fact in the registry office or by a court decision. The parents' rights may not be exercised where they conflict with the children's interests. The children's interests remain the primary consideration in dealing with all matters concerning children - e.g. when deciding what name and surname the child will bear, with which of the two separately living parents the child is to live, and how a separated parent is to participate in the child's upbringing, what rights of access are to be granted, etc.
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the legal framework and rights of individuals within a family setting, specifically in the context of marriage, divorce, and child custody. It highlights the principles of equality between spouses and parents, as well as the importance of protecting the interests of children. The text does not mention economic or industrial development, natural resources, transportation, or international trade, which suggests that it is not related to these categories.

**Category**
Education, Humanitarian aid and relief