Mexico City, one of the largest and most liberal capitals in the world, has a law up its sleeve to nix the number of divorces in a city where almost half of all marriages end in divorce within the first couple of years.
If the law goes ahead, newlyweds would be bound for a minimum of two years, after which they could decide whether or not to stay together. The contract would also include provisions on the fate of property and children should the union dissolve.
According to the Star report, advocates of the Leftist law hope to spare couples the "torturous process of divorce". A vote is expected at the end of this year.
Needless to say, the proposed law has the world's second largest Catholic population up in arms. "This reform is absurd," said Hugo Valdemar, spokesman for the Mexican archdiocese. "It contradicts the nature of marriage."
Does the proposed contract cheapen the institution of marriage, or is it a much-needed reality check?
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