Marriage is something that, for some, is a wonderful adventure and for others is a train wreck. People divorce or stay with each other for the rest of their lives. Some folks are forced into it for wrong reasons. Some don’t even bother at all to attempt the difficulties of marriage. For newlyweds in Mexico City, the process of marriage and divorce may become a lot easier.
A recent proposal by left-wing Mexico City Assembly members will allow couples to obtain two-year marriage licenses and determine the length of their marriage. According to the ABC news website, if a couple is steady and happy after two years, they will be able to renew their marriage license. If a marriage is miserable and goes down the drain, the contract simply ends; nothing further. The dreadful process of divorce will not be apart of the contract, which greatly benefits couples. The contract does, however, contain the proceedings for property rights and child support.
Of course the Catholic Church and Conservatives, already riled up with the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2009 in Mexico City, are battering the proposal. According to News website Reuters, Hugo Valdemar, Spokesman for the Mexican Archdiocese, claims that the proposal is “absurd” and “contradicts the nature of marriage”. In a typical religious conservative manner, he also claims that the reform is “irresponsible and immoral”. Now I understand that the Catholic Church has strong opinions on not only a firm marriage, but that it should be between a man and a woman only. However, morality has no place in the topic at the moment. The proposed license is simply meant to ease marriage and divorce for citizens, not to enforce “moral values”.
If the new proposal is passed which, since same-sex marriage was legalized back in 2009 and the left-wing Party of the Democratic Revolution holds a majority of the Seats in Mexico City’s Assembly, is very likely, Mexico City will be setting new standard for marriage and divorce laws around the world. Not having to deal with the torturous procedure of divorce in court will benefit couples greatly.
Although the new proposal may benefit couples, it has some downsides. If a couple is in an unstable marriage and wants to work it out, they should by all means be able to continue their marriage. With the new law, a couple would forcefully be removed from each other if their marriage is not enjoyable. A two year limit should be removed from the proposed license and should allow a couple to decide when their marriage is unstable. A lot could happen in a two year period between a couple that could either damage or aid their marriage. Since the marriage license will be optional, however, it is up to the individual to agree to the terms of it.
The United States should consider a temporary marriage license such as this proposed one, but should enforce it in a less forceful way. First off, divorce procedures should be made much easier for a couple as exemplified in the Mexico City version, leaving the courts out of the situation. In the United States, marriage and divorce procedures and laws vary from state to state, and all of them invoke the courts. Secondly, a law that lets couples determine when they want to divorce should be put in effect with the license. No couple wanting to divorce should have a term limit for their marriage forced upon them. While the license would bring benefits to American couples, the likelihood of something like this passing is very low. Marriage is looked upon by many in America, specifically the Church and some politicians, as an important part of life that should continue for an entire lifetime. With all opinions set aside, the license would benefit Americans who want an easier way out of a marriage rather than going through long, dreadful court measures.
Overall the proposed marriage license will benefit unhappy Mexico City citizens, but could stand a few changes to make it fairer.
