Pre-marriage Contracts: An Aid to Couples Living With Parents

The idea of a pre-marriage contract is not new. In a rather legalistic way such documents have been used in parts of Europe for many years. Earlier in this decade, marriage contracts were in vogue for couples who wanted to have their relationship defined more explicitly. It seemed to this author that contracts might be very appropriate in pre-marital work with teenage couples. Teenagers, lacking marketable job skills and experience, are at a disadvantage when seeking employment. The current economic situation has further decreased the number of jobs open to them. Teenage couples contemplating marriage are faced with the choice of taking menial or part-time work, relying on direct relief or ADC, or living with relatives. In most instances "relatives" means parents. Married life under the roof of one's parents or in-laws has gained a bad reputation, and families are generally reluctant to get into this kind of situation. When such an agreement is deemed necessary or unavoidable, it is very easy for expectations to be unspoken or glossed over in an effort to minimize conflict. Paradoxically, parents who are against a teen marriage may encourage "living at home" as a way to protect or retain control of their offspring. The teenager, using marriage as a means of escape from an unhappy home, yet not being ready to leave home, visualizes the