There are many ways to classify marriage but is a widely accepted fact that it is among life’s most important responsibilities. But what if there was a way to increase the seriousness of the situation even further? Meet the Texas Covenant Marriage Bill — a piece of legislation to change the ways Texans treat the concept of marriage. Covenant marriage is not your typical ‘til death do us part type of marriage. It is a type of marriage that has unique legal procedures; the rules are more rigorous than conventional marriage; and there are few acceptable grounds for dissolution. The goal? To increase awareness of how important marriage should be taken so as to avoid easily walking to divorce and to enhance the family values.
As a social and political issue, let’s find out all about the Texas Covenant Marriage Bill that you ever wanted to learn in this useful article. To understand the details of the legislation, its assumed benefits, and envisaged disadvantages, and to discuss the merits and demerits of the legislation, we shall analyze its fundamental aspects. Whether you are thinking of getting a covenant marriage yourself or are just interested in the concept, this article will give all the information you need.
The Idea of Covenant Marriage
Covenant Marriage Definition
Let’s start with the basics: what did the authors mean by covenant marriage? It is a sort of “marriage-plus” model of professionalism, in which one’s professional role is intertwined with, and grounded in, a personal relationship. Covenant marriage goes a notch higher then the traditional marriage where parties sign more legal and emotional responsibilities. This could include compulsory sessions of pre-marital counselling, more rigid measures concerning divorce and resentment to work harder
A covenant marriage is not so much a proclamation of love but a legal contract that has provisions that take more premeditation, energy andcommitment to honor as compared to a conventional contract.
How It Is Different from Conventional Marriage
So, how is it different from the familiar type of marriage most people seem to know about? In a conventional marriage, you can normally sue for divorce on grounds such as incompatibility or merely changing your mind. However when two people get into a covenant marriage they abide by extremely rigid conditions.
Also, before one can get a covenant marriage couples have to undergo counseling and they have to pass through counseling again in case of some circumstances. Basically, it is a means of bringing depth and longevity into a marriage to avoid casual deployment of the laws and marriage institutions.
History of Covenant Marriage
WHERE DID COVENANT MARRIAGE BEGIN?
Covenant marriage is not really a new idea in itself, but it is not a concept that has really caught on in any way. The concept was first enacted in Louisiana in 1997 and made Louisiana the first state to give couples the chance to have a covenant marriage. It was done with a view of trying to solve the high-divorce rates in the state through developing a marriage model that encourages husbands and wives to be accountable.
;Following LA, other states such as AZ and AR legislated on covenant marriage laws. Nevertheless, although is available in these states, covenant marriage remains a rarity. A small proportion of couples opt for this method and there is doubt as to how viable this is and desired by many.
The General Movement for Covenant Marriage Laws
The covenant marriage movement stems from the fact that people believe that modern day marriages are too easily dissolved. Analysts and lovers argue that if only it becomes tough to dissolve a marriage then people should strive to fix the problems rather than to leave as soon as things begin to get tough. Such movement is usually backed by religious and conservative societal segments who see marriage as holy institution, then for life.
How the Texas Covenant Marriage Bill Works
Pre-Marital Counseling Requirements
Another major aspect of covenant marriages is that the couple has to undergo some pre-marital counseling. Before, marriage, the bridegroom and the bride must undergo a premarital counseling session with either a licensed counselor, religious figure or marriage educator to explain to the couple the role and responsibilities of marriage. This is not a one shot method of doing things — it is a deliberate attempt at preparing the couples for marriage.
Issues discussed in counseling include communication, conflict, finance, and expectations of one or both partners in marriage. The aim is to guarantee that neither of the two partners involves himself or herself in marriage without first knowing what he or she is getting into.
No-Fault Divorce
Unlike other categories of marriage, which have as many causes for divorce as for a marriage to take place, covenant marriages are rigid with the number of effects for divorce.
What Constitutes as ‘Reasonable Causes’ For Divorce?
In a covenant marriage, valid reasons for divorce might include:
- Adultery: One spouse cheats and the other can without worry apply for a divorce.
- Abuse: Abuse in any form whether it is emotional, physical or sexual is legally acceptable ground for divorce.
- Abandonment: When one of the spouses begins to mistreat the other and the other spouse wants a divorce then it may be considered justified.
Others, such as lack of financial compatibility or loss of romantic attraction, do not usually make the cut. This limitation aims to make the couples continue with their wedding planning tool look for ways of solving the differences instead of going for a divorce.
Supporters of the Bill
Why Some Advocates Support Covenant Marriage
According to the supporters of the Texas Covenant Marriage Bill, this is a move in a right direction to protect marriage. In this movie they feel that marriage has become a mere meaninglessness today where most couples feel they can easily divorce. In making marriage difficult to be terminated,
Religious Views
Most religious council and religious groups have embraced covenant marriage because of their belief in marriage as a covenant that is eternal. On a social point of view, there are arguments made that with stronger marriages there will be stronger families hence better society.
Critics of the Bill
Individual Rights Issues
As much as people would like to embrace the new style of marriage called covenant marriage, not everybody is supporting the idea. Some people most vehemently opposed to it because it is a violation of the right to privacy and self-determination. What if a person finds out that he/she is dissatisfied with the marriage but does not qualify to be divorced? Instead, they could become lonely and trapped in love relationships that experience very low returns on human investment.
Opposition for Restricting Divorce
One more issue concerning covenant marriage is that it will not help to prevent the major issues in the marriage. Nobody said that making the process of getting a divorce difficult would make the marriage better. It could even result to prolonged suffering of couples who are in toxic or unhealthy relationship they cannot let go.
Marriage and Divorce in Texas
Could This Change Divorce Rates?
The Texas Covenant Marriage Bill has a capacity of passing and also has an impact on the divorce rate in the state. Understanding the importance of marriage, the Authors of the bill intend to make the divorce process stringent as a way of making couples to repair their relationships instead of opting for a divorce. Nevertheless people are still wondering whether this would really lead to happier marriages or whether it would only mean people are stuck in their marriages with their problems.
The Argument for Building Strong Marriages
Some people who back the new law claimed that making couple undergo an elaborate counselling process and discouraging them from dissert could turn marriage into stronger and more unified bond. They presuppose that additional work, which needs to be carried out to preserve covenant marriage, can be beneficial in forming a strong base for marriage.
Other examples from states_Other examples from states
Functions of Covenant Marriage in Louisiana, Arizona, and Arkansas
Some of examples of states where covenant marriage has been in practice include Louisiana, Arizona and Arkansas. Married couples in these states are required to undergo some rigorous tests so that they qualify to be in covenant marriage, and they have few legal remedies in case of dissolution of the union. Though the laws have had some effects in encouraging long term commitment, adoption remain low.
Some of The Features Learned From These States
One thing learned from these states is that although covenant marriage is potentially attractive to a particular group of the marrying population, it is not a panacea. A large figure still favored an open-ended style that conventional marriage offers, which indicates that covenant marriage will always remain a trend and not a standard.
Legal consequences of the Texas covenant marriage bill
Impact on Current Marriages Laws
To elaborate, if enacted the Texas Covenant Marriage Bill would seek establish a new choice for Texas marriage legislation. There is validity in the desire to give couples the option to choose between the formation of a traditional marriage and a covenant marriage so that they may select the model which is most appropriate for them as regards their personal vision of marriage.
Being an Import System There Are Many Challenges and Enforcement
Implementation of the stringent covenants of covenant marriage could prove difficult especially trying to decide which are lawful reasons for dissolution of the marriage. There could be increased contending for what constitutes as ‘adultery’ or ‘abuse’ in a relationship which will complicate the problem.
Public Opinion
Public Feeling of Texans toward the War
People of Texas have different opinions on the Texas Covenant Marriage Bill. While some embrace the move as a way of enhancing families and preventing divorce rates among Texans. Some consider it as a coming in between phenomenon while others as an interferences with right of individuals.
Generational and Cultural Differences
While 47 percent of the millennials and Gen X are entirely comfortable with no strings attached marriage, only 35 percent of the older generation is okay with it. Besides, the cultural factors are as well essential with conservative culture supporting wider the bill.
Covenant Marriage in the Future of Texas
The Possibility of Enacting the Bill
Uncertainty surrounds the passage or otherwise of the Texas Covenant Marriage Bill. That is why despite considerable support in some circles, it has a broad range of powerful critics.
Can It Translate To Other States?
If it passes in Texas, covenant marriage could easily spread to other states and become a nation –wide phenomenon.
Understanding Covenant Marriage From the Side of the Groom A pundit of Covenant Marriage has his share of honest thoughts that reflect a Man’s goal to be with a Wife with whom he can embrace the benefits sourced from Covenant Marriage.
Reinforcements
Covenant marriage will make sure that couple opens marriage with high level of commitment thus making commitments stronger.
Family Stability as a Gain
This means that covenant marriage has the potential of enshrining the dignity of families particularly children in tremendous ways because of the low rates of divorce.
Negative Implications of Covenant Marriage
Some potential effects of collective decision making for couples
In some cases those rules described by covenant marriage will make some feel confined and unhappy in the marriage.
Legally and Emotionally Speaking
The new legislation in easier divorce process might prove to be stressful for those, who wish to formally dissolve a marriage.
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Some Prelest Measure to Take
Therefore one should be very much sure about the covenant before engaging in covenant marriage. The most important preliminary is most especially the counseling before actual marriage.
Steps for Selecting the right Counselor
If you are interested in covenant marriage, find a counselor who deals with such marriage so that he or she can assists you in preparing for the next phase of your marriage correctly.
Conclusion
The Texas Covenant Marriage Bill can be considered as a serious effort to change the legal meaning of marriage in the Lone Star State. Therefore, committing itself and its partners to working harder, it aims at building families and decreasing the rate of divorces. But it is not a process without its problems and issues. Whether you’re for or against it, one thing is clear: covenant marriage is therefore not a decision to be made over a trivial issue.
FAQs
What Is a Covenant Marriage?
A covenant marriage is very similar to a traditional one but is regulated more stringently; the couple may not divorce their partners for any reasons except for adultery.
What Makes It Different from a Usual Marriage?
Covenant marriages comes with restrictions on issues of divorce; this is because the law provides prerequisites that must be met before a couple could be divorced.
Divorce-What happens if I want A Divorce
It is possible for you to get an out/covenant marriage annulled on grounds of adultery or abuse among others.
Is There a Cost to It?
These would increase the charges that the couples entering or leaving a covenant marriage would incur preparing to pay more for the counseling and legal procedures.
What Makes Covenant Marriage Right For Everyone ?
Not necessarily. It would appear that is best applied to couples who are not only willing to work at the long-term marriage but willing to work even harder to meet the extra demands.
