Currently marriage contracts have only the death of one person as the delimitating date. This, for some, is too far away to be of any benefit to the day to day weight of being in a committed relationship.
I am very happily married to a beautiful, smart, funny, and beautiful woman. Ya, I said beautiful twice on purpose! :)
My presenting this idea can be seen on its surface as a slight or a disrespectful thought, but, from my point of view it is showing direct respect to the contract I signed, and re-sign, with every beat of my heart. Moreover, marriage and divorce would show a different character with employment of this idea and would have lasting effects.
The idea is simple.
All marriage contracts will last for 10 years and then expire.
Simple right?
Instead of "Till Death Do Us Part," it will be 'Until Decade Do We Part,' or more accurately put, 'In a Decade Do We Part?'
You see most marriages end in divorce and there are copious reasons for why this is.
One reason could be that the contract is just too long for people.
10 years is about the time marriages start to bare visible stress marks. This is, around the world, more or less the tipping point.
So, in an effort to better the terms of marriage, I present the 10 year marriage contract.
On its surface I can see that it would seem to undermine the spirit of marriage because the until-death part is so integral to the institution. Not just in the minds and hearts of husband and wife, indeed, it is the undergirding for the shimmery veneer of wedded bliss. It's gotta show that glossy finish until one of them are finished!
Why do I think it would be better?
It comes down to divorce and longevity.
If a husband or wife starts to feel the strain of monogamy the seemingly endless contract will look and feel like a death sentence, making divorce a much more sweet and savory course to take. If a marriage only lasts 10 years and one starts to feel the strain some where after 6 years then it would be more likely that individual sticks it out to the end of the contract instead of going through the headache and bank-account-ache of lawyering and lawing oneself free of obligation.
Likewise, the longevity of marriage will take on new terms and character while retaining the same romanticism and pride. Namely, because if after 10 years a couple desires more time with each other they can get married again, and again, for another 10 years. This means another wedding, more presents, more recognition from community, more time for the wife to be princessed around friends and family; all very important. Also, the pride currently expressed when telling others how long a marriage has lasted, "We've been married 39 years!" this same sentiment will only grow, taking on new words and character, "We are getting married again for the 4th time." "We are on our 4th Tenure(10year)!"
You see the pride in monogamy is its length; how long it has lasted.
My idea here does not detract from this but adds a little something extra, another view point to the same ol' institution.
It is my opinion that divorce rates will be reduced if this idea becomes accessible. And, I feel the strength of lasting marriages will be bolstered time and time again by the renewing of vows, the levity of celebration, the receiving of wedding gifts, being recognized again, and the cyclical nature of love's embrace.
I respect the institution of marriage and I am offering this idea in a show of much respect, deference, and honor for the commitment of one to another one.
I don't care who gets married, Man&Wife/Man&Man/Wife&Wife, the only thing necessary is respect, deference and honor shown to a shared commitment.
Go now, be merry, be married, be-come what may of the spirit longing for its reflection, in all due respect.