A marriage contract would stipulate when a wife or husband could seek a divorce, the rules governing custody and child support, the division of property and earnings brought to and accumulated during marriage, allocation of stock options and future earnings, and so on. A common argument against marriage contracts is that men and women who are romantically involved would hesitate to suggest a contract because it might create the false impression that they are not in love or that they are contemplating only a short-term relationship. An easy solution to this real problem is to require a contract before a couple can legally marry. If these became compulsory, there would be no bad vibes or stigma attached. Statistics show, however, that 40 to 50 percent of all marriages are terminated by a divorce, many quite bitter.
Prenuptial agreements are already common, especially in second marriages.
Contracts permit men and women entering into marriage to make divorce a difficult option by limiting their breakup to desertion and other extreme circumstances. They make a long-term commitment to each other more secure. People won't have to worry that their relationship could be easily abrogated when they have financial or health problems or when one of them tires of the other or meets someone else. Marriage contracts would not prevent couples from falling out of love. But they would force all couples to address the consequences of a breakup before rather than afterward.