Kenyans have been urged by the Atheists In Kenya Society to adopt two-year marriage contracts as an alternative to the current lifetime arrangements.
On Tuesday, the Association made the case that more cooperative contracts are necessary because the present "until death do us part" model of marriages frequently results in tumultuous and acrimonious divorces or chaotic family drama.
According to the Association, the new model should specify essential marital responsibilities like childcare, finances, housekeeping, and outward displays of affection so that each partner commits to the agreement for the duration and has the option to extend or terminate it after the first two years have passed.
“We encourage Kenyans to embrace renewable marriage contracts lasting two years that lay out the marital duties (housekeeping, finances, childcare, shows of affection, etc.) for each party,” the Association President Harrison Mumia said.
Did you read this?
“Each partner will commit to that contract during the two years. At the end of the two years, the couple can choose to renew their agreement, adjust its terms, or dissolve their marriage.”
Mr. Mumia continued, saying that renewable marriages would enable couples to modify their marital agreement as needed or decide that it is no longer negotiable, ending the union without the drama or shock of a complicated divorce or unanswered questions about what went wrong.
The contentious society claims that because a lifetime commitment requires a couple to stay together, it robs them of their autonomy.
Atheists maintain that it is the responsibility of couples to manage their relationships.
“The Atheists In Kenya Society is of the view that it’s time to rethink ‘until death does us part’. And if brides- and grooms-to-be truly want a happy marriage, then it is time for them to take responsibility for defining their goals and expectations in a renewable marriage contract,” the statement stated.
