“Till death do us part” is a little excessive, don’t you think? That’s the idea behind one Mexico City legislator’s proposal to give couples the option to enter into two-year marriage contracts that could either be dissolved or renewed at the end of the term—depending on whether the two crazy kids still like each other. The bill is intended to help combat Mexico City’s soaring divorce rate, which, at about 50 percent, is the highest in the country.
Religious leaders have come down harshly against the proposal, saying that it contradicts the nature of marriage. Others have suggested that the law wouldn’t be very effective in lowering separation rates and would simply result in more bureaucracy. Even so, Leonel Luna, the bill’s author, is optimistic that it will pass in the next few weeks.
Although saying “Till death do us part … maybe” is about a billion times less romantic than taking the leap with love-struck abandon, the thought of a “practice marriage” is interesting and maybe not entirely without merit. At the very least it might prompt some hastily chapel-bound lovebirds to consider the commitment a little more carefully before entwining legally and financially; something that might ultimately help their union beat the odds. But then again, can a commitment with a rolling expiration really be called a marriage?
What do you think? Are temporary marriages a good idea, or should the words “I do” mean forever?
