Prenuptial agreements -- I'll marry you if you promise to lose 10 pounds
Prenuptial agreements are traditionally drawn up to protect parties in the case the marriage fails and they need to divide their assets. But according to Michelle Andrews, over at U.S. News & World Report, lawyers are increasingly seeing prenups that include clauses related to health.Some potential spouses want to be assured their betrothed won't gain weight or pick up smoking. Others want a guarantee on how many times a week they'll have sex or, in one case, put a weight restriction on physical intimacy. Of course, these clauses aren't legally enforceable, but I suppose if your fiance asks you to agree to them, then you know up front exactly what you're getting into.
We all want our spouses and partners to take good care of themselves. But putting healthy habits on a legal contract? That feels controlling and manipulative to me, not emotions you want to feel when you're saying "I do, till death to us part." I'd have run, far and fast, if my husband had approached me with one of these.
What about you? Are you willing to put your health requirements on paper? Or does this give you the same icky feeling it does me?







.jpg)











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-29-2008 @ 2:42PM
Chris said...
I think this is better left as an unspoken rule, that you will do your best to maintain or improve the lifestyle that you have shown the other person before the marriage. But putting it on paper doesn't seem right.
Reply
8-30-2008 @ 5:11AM
eydimork said...
I wouldn't mind. I think it's far healthier to have your expectations stated clearly and openly before going into a marriage, than to avoid it for the sake of romanticism or politeness.
It's not exactly a new concept to write these sorts of contracts either. Have a look at Mesopotamian marriage contract from 4,000 years ago, and you'll see quite clear specifications of what was expected of both parties.
Reply