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Writer's Block: Marital license
Mar. 1st, 2010 07:38 pm[Error: unknown template qotd]I don't answer these very often but this is one of those issues I think about from time to time. Actually, I do think marriages should have a renewal date. 7 years. The catch is that you can't get divorced until that seven years are up.
The thing is, far too many people get married without thinking it through. They don't really think about the reality of those vows they're making, that when you say "For sickness and in health, for better and for worse" you're likely to actually experience one or the other of those situations. Perhaps even both.
Then, of course, the whole divorce thing makes it easier. How many people get divorced within a year of their marriage? That does more harm to the so-called institution than any gay marriage ever could. It shows just how little value people put into their oaths.
So let's give everyone one renewal date: You've gotta stick with it for seven years, and after that seven years are up you have a choice: You can renew for another seven, buy in for the rest of your life, or part amicably. I bet there'd be a lot fewer marriages if people were fully aware that they're literally stuck with this other person for seven whole years. And y'know, there are some people who will look at their relationship, appreciate the times that were shared but realize that they aren't really where they need to be. And nothing's necessarily wrong with that. I think the vast majority would opt out.
Then you will have those (the minority at first, I bet, though less so as time passes) who are perfectly happy with their spouse and absolutely confident that they'll remain so for good. The best case scenario will prove itself out, and a simple renewal of their license would cause no great harm.
Of course, it will never happen, but I'd be a big supporter if something like this was actually proposed.
The thing is, far too many people get married without thinking it through. They don't really think about the reality of those vows they're making, that when you say "For sickness and in health, for better and for worse" you're likely to actually experience one or the other of those situations. Perhaps even both.
Then, of course, the whole divorce thing makes it easier. How many people get divorced within a year of their marriage? That does more harm to the so-called institution than any gay marriage ever could. It shows just how little value people put into their oaths.
So let's give everyone one renewal date: You've gotta stick with it for seven years, and after that seven years are up you have a choice: You can renew for another seven, buy in for the rest of your life, or part amicably. I bet there'd be a lot fewer marriages if people were fully aware that they're literally stuck with this other person for seven whole years. And y'know, there are some people who will look at their relationship, appreciate the times that were shared but realize that they aren't really where they need to be. And nothing's necessarily wrong with that. I think the vast majority would opt out.
Then you will have those (the minority at first, I bet, though less so as time passes) who are perfectly happy with their spouse and absolutely confident that they'll remain so for good. The best case scenario will prove itself out, and a simple renewal of their license would cause no great harm.
Of course, it will never happen, but I'd be a big supporter if something like this was actually proposed.
