Where Knowledge Rules

Marriage & Divorce:

Divorce

Debate_icon Get a Widget for this title

Should it be compulsory for couples to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage?

Results so far:

No
73% 824 votes Total: 1123 votes
Yes
27% 299 votes

Good heavens! I should think not! As if the sanctity and long-term commitment of marriage is not already being seriously undermined in our society! To make prenuptial agreements compulsory would be like declaring that nothing is made to last these days, and that marriage has been reduced to a legal contract like an application for employment.

Since I first heard of the relatively recent practice of couples signing prenuptial agreements, I have always felt they were a pretty pathetic, crass concept and a negative footing to be starting married life on. To say nothing of being extraordinarily unromantic!

Just how does a woman (or man) feel when their partner has a nice little nest-egg or a handsome income - and requires that they sign a "prenup"? I would be feeling pretty insecure for starters if I was the one with the lower financial status. It reminds me of Scrooge, whose relationship with his one true love was destroyed, all because he didn't want her getting her hands on his fortune.

Surely when two people are in love, their only thought is to share everything they have for the rest of their lives. There should be no "devil's advocate" hovering with papers to be signed, whispering insidious questions in their ears - such as "What will happen if you're making the biggest mistake of your life and this doesn't work out?"

Where does this place the wedding vows - to love each other "for better or worse, till death us do part"? It just makes a mockery of marriage and turns those holy vows into some kind of farcical game with people's lives. Surely it must sow seeds of doubt and mistrust too - at a time when couples should be absolutely certain of their wholehearted and indisputable love and commitment to each other for "as long as they both shall live".

When people commit to marriage there should be no thought, suggestion or even the mildest speculation or inference that it may not be for keeps. It is just totally inappropriate and unethical to make a legal requirement that they sign a prenuptial agreement. The law should stay right out of such matters and not interfere.

If a couple sees fit to sign such a contract then that's their business. If they do not wish to do something of such a nature, then they shouldn't be required to. They should be allowed to approach their wedding contract with unsullied sincerity, dignity, commitment, hope and expectations that the marriage relationship they are entering into is of such a profound and permanent quality that a modern


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Should it be compulsory for couples to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage?

No
  • 1 of 52

    by Hal Lillywhite

    Instead of preparing for divorce, why not encourage people to prepare to stay happily married? Indeed some ministers already

    read more

  • 2 of 52

    by Carlos Soriano

    Prenuptial agreement has failure of marriage written all over it. Now, the unity of a couple in holy matrimony is not sacred

    read more

Yes
  • 1 of 27

    by C.K. Matthews

    The Failure of Marriage: Can Prenuptial Agreements Save a Marriage?

    Many factors play a role in the ruin of a marriage

    read more

  • 2 of 27

    by Brigid Bishop

    Stipulating that a Prenuptial Agreement is necessary prior to any and all couples marrying is an excellent idea. Any and

    read more

Add your voice

Know something about Should it be compulsory for couples to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage??
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Difference of opinion? Debate now.
Divorce & Legal Issues
Does divorce mediation work?
193696

Featured Partner

International Human Rights Group

IHRG Mission Statement: Standing for Religious Liberties for All We believe that religious liberties are the fo...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA