THE CHANGING MATRIMONIAL SCENE
In most parts of our world matrimony used to mean the union (MARRIAGE) of two people of the opposite sex and of the appropriate age.
However this type of relationship has changed in some parts of our world.
The following types of relationships are acceptable in some parts of our world:
1. Multiple marriages where a man may marry several women and thus have two or more wives at the same time are lawful in some countries. The only limiting factor appears to be affordability. This is defined as pologamy. Polygamy is defined as the state or practice of having more than one spouse at any time, especially more than one wife, or in the case of animals, more than one female mate. A spouse is defined as: one marriage partner - a husband or wife.
2. Marriages where people of the same sex may marry, that is a man may marry a man and a woman may marry a women. This is classified as a monogamous marriage. Marriage between a man and a woman is also classified as a monogamous marriage. Monogamy is defined as the custom or condition of being married to or having a sexual relationship with only one person at a time.
3. Then there are concubines. This category relates to a woman who cohabits with and is supported by a man without being married to him.
These definitions were obtained froml the Readers Digest Great Illustrated Dictionary.
POLYGAMY
It appears froml the definition of POLOGAMY that women may also have more than one husband, however I am not aware of any country where a woman can lawfully be married to multiple husbands at the same time. Some people have a problem with this situation claiming that it is discriminatory. They claim that if it is lawful for men to be married to several women at the same time then the same criteria should apply to women who wish to be married to several husbands. This reasoning sounds logical to me.
The Puritans however perceive polygamous marriages to be a legitimate form of licentious behaviour which equates to cheating. Pologamy could cause relationships to deteriorate and ultimately end in marital discord and divorce. Some equate pologamy to legitimised cheating and we all know how a cheated spouse or lover can react when cheated upon. If you want to see the spontaneous reaction of a person who has been on the receiving end of a cheating lover, watch CHEATERS OR JERRY. SPRINGER. In extreme cases it could lead to crimes of passion.
CAUTION
Spouses must be careful when entering into a marriage relationship because the type of marriage can have serious repercussions upon a divorce settlement.
The following types of marriage contracts are common in most countries:
1. Marriage in Community of Property.
2. The Ante Nuptial Contract
3. The Ante Nuptial Contract with profits.
To avoid serious negative consequences upon divorce discuss the implications of the above choices that pertain to your circumstances with an attorney who specialises in matrimonial law.
The fact that a man and a woman, or two people of the same sex, who live in the same house or abode for a specified period may be regarded by some governments as being married under common law is
a governmental presumption that one must consider.
IF the relationship is not such that it can be considered by a governmental authority as a conjugal relationship it would be wise to describe the relationship in a contract. Example: Where one of the parties is renting a part of the building owned by the other party.
Sadly some marriages do end in divorce thus it is wise to explore the pros and cons of the types of marriages depicted above.
COMMENTS ARE WELCOME ESPECIALLY GRATUITOUS ADVICE BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION WHO SPECIALISE IN MATRIMONIAL AFFAIRS.
GO WELL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
SIDNEY WILLIAMS
