Marriage as a Five year Contract

[sirhugs]

What story ideas could be built in a community or society where marriage was a five year contract rather than indefinite?

Incest/taboo within blended families?

competitive sexuality to try to gain a renewal of contract/ get a good deal in the next one?

high stakes bidding for the most desirable "free agents"?

the wealthy older men keep remarrying gals the same age, so soon the "mom" is younger than the daughters? Older women doing the same thing?

a random lottery for those whose contracts expire with no fresh offers? sort of like a giant speed mating event

 

[pierrelarue161]

A lot fewer cases of the 7 year itch. Fewer divorces for sure. People would have to honestly evaluate whether or not to stay in the marriage.

And it would go much easier on swingers wanting to find more compatible spouses, make monogamy more bearable for others, and help bi folks.

 

[sirhugs]

speaking of swingers... I forgot the "test drives" as people who near the end of their marriages experiment with potential new mates..

 

[pierrelarue161]

speaking of swingers... I forgot the "test drives" as people who near the end of their marriages experiment with potential new mates..

Nice.

 

[RodenAddison]

That reminds me

I had a boss who felt that instead of getting divorced, people could just be registered as being in a relationship. After that, you just signed a transfer paper.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

I had a boss who felt that instead of getting divorced, people could just be registered as being in a relationship. After that, you just signed a transfer paper.

I would favor scrapping licenses altogether and let people either have a ceremony or just cohabit or just declare themselves married or together, whatever they like. It's none of the State's business. That would simply divorce, I should say.

In that situation, five-year deals would be as likely as lifetime ones and if people wanted to transfer, that would between consenting adults. No state intervention whatsoever.

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

Try my four stage marriage law (not allowed on Lit)

15 to 25 assigned to a 45 to 55 year old partner to learn about life (no kids allowed)
25 to 45 assigned to a 25 to 45 year old partner to have kids and rear them
45 to 55 assigned to a 15 to 25 year old partner to teach about life (no kids allowed)
55+ live with who you like.

I would favor scrapping licenses altogether ...

Much better and simpler, but it won't happen. That's because lawyers make a lot of money from divorce, and the legislatures are full of lawyers, so no law simplification can ever get through.

 

[emap]

Snoopy you forgot one, the state makes money on every marriage. You pay I think it's 45 to get the license. So obviously there will never be an end to marriage because the state won't lose the income.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Try my four stage marriage law (not allowed on Lit)

15 to 25 assigned to a 45 to 55 year old partner to learn about life (no kids allowed)
25 to 45 assigned to a 25 to 45 year old partner to have kids and rear them
45 to 55 assigned to a 15 to 25 year old partner to teach about life (no kids allowed)
55+ live with who you like.

Much better and simpler, but it won't happen. That's because lawyers make a lot of money from divorce, and the legislatures are full of lawyers, so no law simplification can ever get through.

Is this a futuristic story?

 

[snoopercharmbrights]

Snoopy you forgot one, the state makes money on every marriage. You pay I think it's 45 to get the license. So obviously there will never be an end to marriage because the state won't lose the income.

You think that the necessary organisation to prepare, issue, record, check, and report on any type of license document can be done for as little as 45 in any currency you choose? You underestimate how bureaucratic the officals of government can be anywhere.

Is this a futuristic story?

Well, more an alternate universe story.

 

[pierrelarue161]

"Higgamous Hoggamous, woman's monogamous. Hoggamous, Higgamous, man is polygamous."

Bullshit. Neither is monogamous by nature and both are by peer pressure. Chuck that and we do what cums naturally.

 

[Carnevil9]

I've often thought many of the same things presented in this thread, especially the five-year contract, and the "why the fuck is the state involved in the first place?" concept.

But I like SH's idea about the contract that is coming up for renewal, and one spouse is doing her (his?) damnedest to make sure the other spouse will want to re-up. For example, the husband has no intention of not renewing, but drops hints that he is thinking of moving on, just so his wife will go out of her way to amp up the sexual activities.

 

[pierrelarue161]

I've often thought many of the same things presented in this thread, especially the five-year contract, and the "why the fuck is the state involved in the first place?" concept.

But I like SH's idea about the contract that is coming up for renewal, and one spouse is doing her (his?) damnedest to make sure the other spouse will want to re-up. For example, the husband has no intention of not renewing, but drops hints that he is thinking of moving on, just so his wife will go out of her way to amp up the sexual activities.

A bit nasty of him, but on the other hand, it would give men more leverage in marriage. Then again, the mere fact of the expiration would do that.

 

[hornyindiacpl]

hmmm

no wonder pp break it b4 the contract is up

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Do you always post this stuff in the wrong forum?

 

[Shendude]

A bit nasty of him, but on the other hand, it would give men more leverage in marriage. Then again, the mere fact of the expiration would do that.

How does that follow?

As those of you who know of me will know, I approve of this sort of story. All the ideas suggested sound good to me.

Methinks that this society would have far less tolerance for infidelity than ours.

 

[subwannabe]

In real life Mexico just proposed something like this - a marriage contract. It lasts for a certain amount of time and when it is over it is over - no divorce necessary. You can always sign a new contract. Interesting idea with interesting possibilities. Probably never will be accepted anywhere though.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Nietzsche once proposed temporary marriage for those not ready for a permanent marriage. He was ahead of his time.