On the eve of Chinese Valentine's Day, the Modern Women's Foundation (現代婦女基金會) yesterday suggested that lovers sign a "marriage contract" as an alternative to the traditional Val-entine's Day presents of flowers or diamonds.
The Modern Women's Foundation said that the necessary elements for a good marriage -- mutual affinity, respect and trust -- must have a rational foundation. The foundation says that its matrimonial contract would ensure women's rights are maintained in a marriage and would prevent the possibility of abuse.
The foundation based the contract on the advice of its legal consultants, including lawyers from who handle battered women's cases in court.
The contract requires couples to reach a clear written agreement on the conditions of their future marriage. The couple must know -- and write down -- their views on a variety of issues from money management to housework.
The contract seeks to precisely define who should pay what portion of the family's expenditures and for the children's education. It will record the couple's accord on whether they want to join their properties after the marriage and which spouse should be in charge of the join-property. It will also state each of the couple's monthly allowance in specific amounts and the family duties that are required of each side in detail.
The contract also contains a proviso that states both husband and wife have equal obligation of loyalty to the marriage. They have to vow to never abuse each other and whoever violates that proviso must pay compensation of a pre-determined sum agreed by both sides in the contract prior to the marriage.
The foundation's lawyer, Jennifer Wang (
She said that it is equally important to state both sides' responsibility to keep their relationship in tact. She said that many of her clients had vowed "eternal love," before marriage, but nothing more. Contracts of that kind, she said, are useless.
"Passionate couples can end up divorced just because they don't know who should wash the dishes," she warned.
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