The film begins with the marriage of the worker's couple Manfred and Manuela. They got married - as is taken for granted in most cases - in order to become happy. Manuela has got to stop working since she is having two children within a short time and Manfred gradually changes for the worse as far as his job is concerned. The atmosphere becomes irritated. The struggle for emancipation begins when Manuela learns typing, when she finds a new working place and starts setting up a life of her own. Being misunderstood and ignored by Manfred, she goes to bed with another man whom she knows from her childhood days. The family scandal is perfect. But meanwhile Manfred has succeeded in learning something. At the funeral of Manuela's father they become reconciled.