faced with the possibility that their marriage could end in divorce women sought to obtain paid employment enabling them to be independent in the event of the breakdown of their marital union hassani and sjogren it enjoins states parties to ensure on a basis of equality between men and women the same rights and responsibilities as parents irrespective of their marital status in matters relating to their children d and the same rights and responsibilities with regard to guardianship wardship trusteeship and adoption of children or similar institutions where these concepts exist in national legislation f adding in both clauses that in all cases the interests of the children shall be paramount the husband is in general the legal guardian of his minor children during the marriage and in the event of its dissolution the mother may retain custody of her children until they reach a certain age but depending on the country she will have to defer to the father in all or most decisions under the guardianship principle