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• News on 15th October 2011

News

Mexico city to offer short-term marriage contracts

Author: Admin
Date: 15th October 2011

Mexico city, which introduced same-sex marriage in 2009, is now considering offering its citizens short-term marriages lasting as little as two years.

Under the plans, couples in Mexico City could end their short term marriages if they no longer felt happy, or if the marriage was not “stable”.

Couples would sign marriage contracts, including provisions on childcare and property to come into force in the event of a separation.

The move, which has been described as “absurd” by the Catholic Church, is currently being considered by politicians in Mexico City.

The proposal comes from the Party of the Democratic Revolution and is claimed to be aimed at tackling high divorce rates in the city.

However, Hugo Valdemar, from the Catholic Church, said: “It contradicts the nature of marriage”.

The Revd Jose de Jesus Aguilar, also of the Catholic Church, commented: “Mexico is suffering very serious problems precisely because we’re losing family values.”

He said: “I think that instead of creating all kinds of comfortable rules for political purposes, legislators should focus on promoting strong marriages and family values”.

Angelica Cesar, who lives in Mexico City, commented: “If you’re making a commitment to share your life with someone, it better be for more than two years. It has to be for the rest of your life”.

Other family rights's advocates have also attacked the bill.

Consuelo Mendoza, of the National Union of Parents says the proposal would put children through the anguish of wondering whether their parents would stay together.

“At first I thought it was a hoax,” Ms Mendoza said. “These initiatives create a culture of disposability within important societal issues.”

BBC Mundo's Ignacio De Los Reyes says the bill, which also sets out rights for common law couples, is likely to go before legislators in December. Its backers are members of Mexico City's governing PRD party, which has a clear majority.

However, the party is divided and - as the plan requires complex reform of the civil code - it would be difficult to convince all PRD legislators to vote together, he adds.