Sure everyone knows what a prenup is.. another legally binding contract for married couples (aka a contract to protect marital assets in case of a death or divorce).. but have you heard about 'Relationship Contracts' ?
The New York Times says many couples make such contracts either written or oral that outline the needs, wants and stipulations of their relationship. Some agreements may decide on how much time the couple needs to spend together, how chores are divided up or who takes the dog out in the morning.
Newly weds, Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan was said to have had such an agreement before she moved to be closer to Zuckerberg. In their arrangement it was reported that she insisted on at least one date night and 100 minutes together a week which had to be outside of his apartment and his Facebook offices.
With a guy like that I don't blame her for drawing up a few terms, if I was moving my whole life for some gazillionaire who's known to work crazy hours I would be a little reluctant to trust his word too.
And let's not forget the fictional character from Fifty Shades of Grey who had a whole sex-contract drawn up. ( I know its fiction but in BDSM most dominant and submissive partners draw up contracts to detail exactly what is expected out of one another).
But are these so-called 'relationship contracts' really necessary? Whatever happened to asking a girl to go steady and then buying her a promise ring?
Some lawyers say that these contrasts are fluffy versions of cohabitation agreements that same sex couples started writing up years ago and that some heterosexual couples who don't ever plan on getting married write-up.. look at celebrity couple Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger who have been dating for years, the former Dawson's Creek star recently told Life & Style, " We're together for six years now, so for all intents and purposes, we are [married]" he added. "I have no need for a priest to tell me that!"
Now although most lawyers will tell you that these agreements are legally unenforceable, such discussions at least make it clear what each partner wants in the relationship. And in this day and age you can't assume all the same rules and regulations of a regular/normal relationship apply.. maybe some couples want to write down that they are free to sleep with other people or that when you move in together the kegerator gets retired?
For some it might sound like a business plan for a romantic relationship while for others it could sound like a relationship wish-list.. But if you look at it in a playful way, maybe it could be fun to draw one up, what would be on your list?
Here is a clip from CBS comedy "The Big Bang Theory" when Sheldon, "the boyfriend" presents his 'Relationship agreement' to his girlfriend, Amy.
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