Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
In an effort to update an “outdated and obsolete view of marriage,” Italian lawmakers have proposed a new law that will no longer require married couples to pledge fidelity to each other.
The Telegraph is reporting on the new amendment to Italy’s civil code with would remove the word “fidelity” from Italian marriage contracts.
The promise to remain faithful to one’s spouse is considered to be a “cultural legacy from an outdated and obsolete view of marriage, family, and the rights and duties of spouses,” according to a dozen senators who are backing the bill.
Laura Cantini, a senator from the ruling Democratic Party, who introduced the amendment, described the change as a step forward from what she called the “legacy of an outdated vision of marriage” to make it more consistent with a new era of civil unions as well as a sign of sexual freedom within marriage.
“The obligation to fidelity should be understood not only as sexual fidelity but above all respect and trust in each other, which is an important value, that should not be up to the state to impose by law,” the proposal says.
The lawmakers referred to a previous ruling from Italy’s highest court which declared that judges could not legally place the blame for a marriage separation “on the mere failure to observe the duty of fidelity.”
Instead, the other party has to prove that their spouse’s infidelity led to the irreconcilable breakdown of the marriage.
Legal expert Jonathon Turley said the change would be a “victory for those who have long argued for the right to maintain alternative definitions of marriage.”
Although he doesn’t personally agree with these alternative definitions, he claims to have always been “uncomfortable with the state policing matters of moral integrity or compliance.” He would rather see this left to families and individuals to decide within their own faith structures.
“That said, however, I also believe that infidelity is a legitimate basis to terminate a marriage for most people. That should not change.”
However, it may indeed be changing soon in a country where 55 per cent of men and around 33 per cent of women claim to have cheated on their partners.
This new law is being considered by Italy’s Parliament in spite of mountains of research detailing the negative impact of the breakdown of the family upon society and individuals. These impacts range from causing increases in crime, abuse, and neglect within families to diminishing children’s learning capacity and educational attainment. In addition to reducing household income, it has also been found to increase behavioral, emotional and psychiatric risks, including suicide.
We can only wonder why anyone would think such serious negative impacts to society could possibly be outweighed by the need to update a vision of marriage to make it concur with alternatives that have wreaked so much havoc on society.
This story proves that there is nothing so blinding as politically correct ideologies.
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