Is a happy marriage built on love ... or a house?
Source: Xinhua |
August 20, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A JUDICIAL explanation intended to resolve real estate disputes in divorce has sparked controversy over the premise that the deprivation of wives' co-ownership of the couple's home will make them feel both insecure and unromantic.
The latest explanation of China's Marriage Law, which took effect last Saturday, stipulates that houses mortgaged by one party prior to marriage are to be deemed the personal property of the registered owner, rather than the couple's joint estate.
The explanation challenges the traditional Chinese view that to secure a marriage, the groom has to buy an apartment, which has become increasingly expensive and sometimes consumes the life savings of his family, said Liu Yan, a lawyer on marital affairs. "But I think it's totally fair to protect the contributor's assets, because the contributor may also be the wife's family," she said.
However, Fan Li, a 30-year-old mother in southwest Chongqing City, believes the explanation will only make divorce more complicated.
"Just think of women's sacrifices for the family. When a woman loses her looks, and her husband wants to leave her, you think wives will let go and get nothing to compensate for their sweat and youth?" she asked.
Online, many lambasted the explanation as showing scant concern for the equal partnership of marriage and stripping wives of important leverage.
"The latest explanation has turned husbands into landlords," wrote Leslie_Zou on her microblog.
The consensus throughout China is that a jointly-held home makes both men and women feel secure within the marriage, and the price of misconduct or an extramarital affair would be losing half of the home.
Female blogger Xiaopaopao said that she felt the regulation was more about personal asset protection and less about people's feelings.
Some men were opposed to the explanation. Some future husbands wrote that they will have to go through complicated procedures to have their fiancees' names registered under the property.
"My future mother-in-law won't consent to the marriage before both our names are registered," one said.
But some believe the explanation will make young people think more seriously about their relationships.
"Those who aren't serious about marriage and marry for the sake of property will have to think twice," said Shi Lei, a divorce lawyer.
A popular notion states that finding a wife can be a nightmare for men, as they work longer hours and deal with nagging parents.
If that isn't enough, women have come under fire as too materialistic. Many women demand a house before they'll agree to a marriage proposal, and some seek a marriage that will provide overnight wealth.
Although many argue over the "business" of marriage, some remain staunch in their belief that property will always come second to love.
"Marriage is built on true love - not a house," blogger Xiaolei wrote.
The latest explanation of China's Marriage Law, which took effect last Saturday, stipulates that houses mortgaged by one party prior to marriage are to be deemed the personal property of the registered owner, rather than the couple's joint estate.
The explanation challenges the traditional Chinese view that to secure a marriage, the groom has to buy an apartment, which has become increasingly expensive and sometimes consumes the life savings of his family, said Liu Yan, a lawyer on marital affairs. "But I think it's totally fair to protect the contributor's assets, because the contributor may also be the wife's family," she said.
However, Fan Li, a 30-year-old mother in southwest Chongqing City, believes the explanation will only make divorce more complicated.
"Just think of women's sacrifices for the family. When a woman loses her looks, and her husband wants to leave her, you think wives will let go and get nothing to compensate for their sweat and youth?" she asked.
Online, many lambasted the explanation as showing scant concern for the equal partnership of marriage and stripping wives of important leverage.
"The latest explanation has turned husbands into landlords," wrote Leslie_Zou on her microblog.
The consensus throughout China is that a jointly-held home makes both men and women feel secure within the marriage, and the price of misconduct or an extramarital affair would be losing half of the home.
Female blogger Xiaopaopao said that she felt the regulation was more about personal asset protection and less about people's feelings.
Some men were opposed to the explanation. Some future husbands wrote that they will have to go through complicated procedures to have their fiancees' names registered under the property.
"My future mother-in-law won't consent to the marriage before both our names are registered," one said.
But some believe the explanation will make young people think more seriously about their relationships.
"Those who aren't serious about marriage and marry for the sake of property will have to think twice," said Shi Lei, a divorce lawyer.
A popular notion states that finding a wife can be a nightmare for men, as they work longer hours and deal with nagging parents.
If that isn't enough, women have come under fire as too materialistic. Many women demand a house before they'll agree to a marriage proposal, and some seek a marriage that will provide overnight wealth.
Although many argue over the "business" of marriage, some remain staunch in their belief that property will always come second to love.
"Marriage is built on true love - not a house," blogger Xiaolei wrote.
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