WeDo Marriage: New Thinking, New Marriage

wedomarriage.com
The world’ first marital corporation
s
Dublin, Ireland

your mind…
open

to what some
innovative thinkers
are saying about the
future of marriage.

wedomarriage.com 2 | 52

meet
Gary S. Becker
Gary is a professor.
Actually, Gary is two professors.

•Professor of •Professor of
•Economics •Sociology

at the Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago


Gary likes …
to keep busy.
books written or co-written by Gary:
Some

Social Economics (Belknap Press, 2000), The Economics of Life
(McGraw-Hill, 1997), Accounting for Tastes, (Harvard University
Press, 1996), A Treatise on the Family (Harvard University Press,
1981), The Economic Approach to Human Behavior (University
Of Chicago Press, 1976), Human Capital: A Theoretical and
Empirical Analysis (University Of Chicago Press,1975) and The
Allocation of Time and Goods Over the Life Cycle (National
Bureau of Economic Research, 1975)


Gary grew up in
Brooklyn, New York.
quot;There were only a few books in our house. After my
father lost most of his sight, I had the task of reading
him stock quotations and other reports on financial
developments.
Perhaps that stimulated my interest in economics.quot;

In 1992, the boy from Brooklyn
was awarded the Nobel Prize
in Economics.


So Gary is now famous
all over the world.

more.
But there’
s

Once a month Gary writes a column for a
magazine that is read by top business people
and academics around the world.
In December 1997 Gary’ monthly column
s
was entitled:

“Why Every Married Couple
Should Sign a Contract.”

Let’ read what Gary said >>
s

“ proposal: replace divorce laws
A
with compulsory
marriage contracts.”
“Such contracts would “Contracts permit men and
require men and women to women entering into
assume responsibility for marriage to make a
the main terms of their greater commitment to
marriage. They would allow each other than under
couples to tailor the terms present no-fault divorce
of marriage to their laws”.
particular needs.”

Business Week, December 29, 1997.


Gary
what thinks...

“Experience would lead “(Contracts) would force all
to various standard couples to address the
marriage-contract consequences of a breakup
forms that consider the before rather than
most common afterwards. Little more can
adjustments as be asked from any legal
conditions change.” arrangement.”



big idea from Gary...
a

“Marriage contracts would not simply be additions
to divorce laws, for they would essentially
replace these laws.”
There is little reason why judges should retain their current
involvement in marriage and divorce, the most personal and intimate
of all relations.
The government's role would be radically cut back if couples must
set the terms of these important decisions.”



Gary is not alone.


meet Wendy McElroy
Wendy McElroy
lives in Canada
with her husband.

Recent pic of Wendy from her personal website.


Wendy
what thinks...

“The US marriage rate has

declined over 40%
over the last 40 years to an historic low.
Some books
from Wendy:
The Debates
Almost half of the adults in America are unmarried of Liberty
(Lexington
and, for the first time, single-person households Books, 2002)
Freedom and
outnumber married families with children. Feminism in
the 21st
A glut of books and articles is suddenly declaring Century
marriage to be either obsolete or rediscovered.” (Independent
Institute, 1999)

Fox News, July 16, 2002.


Wendy…
more from

“Why is marriage declining? I believe one
reason is because marriage has become

a three-way contract Wendy McElroy
between two people and Journalist, Fox
News contributor,

the government, author and
lecturer.

which is regulated by the state from wedding
vows to divorce decrees.”



big idea from Wendy…
a

“Marriage
should be privatized.
Let people make their own marriage Wendy is
contracts according to their conscience, currently a
Research
religion and common sense. Fellow at the
Independent
Institute.
Their diversity shouldn't affect their legality
any more than the diversity of other contracts
makes them unenforceable.”



meet David Boaz
David Boaz
Before becoming
executive vice
president of the
Cato Institute,
David was director
of the the US
Council for a
Competitive
Economy.


David
what thinks...

“Treat (marriage) like Marriage contracts could
any other enforceable be as individually
contract (that spells) tailored as other
out the parties' contracts are in our
respective rights and diverse world.
obligations. David is a
Individual churches, prominent
The state may be called could make their own commentator
and a leading
upon to enforce it, but rules about which authority on
the parties define the marriages they would domestic policy
issues.
terms. bless.”

Slate magazine, April 25, 1997.


David…
more from

“ governments around the world contemplate the
As
privatization of everything
from electricity to social security, why not privatize that
most personal and intimate of institutions, marriage?

David's articles
Let’ get the government out of
s have appeared
marriage and allow individuals to in the Wall
Street Journal,
make their own marriage the New York
contracts, as befits a secular, Times, the
Washington
individualist republic at the dawn Post, and the
Los Angeles
of the information age” . Times.



big idea from David...
a

important institution.
“Marriage is an

The modern mistake is to
think that important things David is a
frequent

must be planned, sponsored, contributor to
shows on ABC,
CNN and NPR.
reviewed, or licensed by the
government.”



meet James Andrew Miller

James Andrew
Miller is also the
author of
Running in
Place, a behind-
the-scenes look at
the US Senate.

James’ book, ‘
s Live From New York’ inspired the TV series
,
Studio 60 on the Sunset String,
staring Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry (above).

James thinks...
what

“ seems sadly clear to me that couples, for
It
all their meticulous (pre-nuptial) planning,
overlook and ignore the most important
point of all.
Dividing up money and assets after a
marriage falls apart (is) often nothing James has
written for
compared with the agony and emotional publications such
torment of a custody battle – dividing up as the New York
Times, Life and
the children. Newsweek.

Packing up the children's backpacks and
preparing them to be picked up by a former
spouse can be agonizing even in the best of
circumstances.”
New York Times, July 16, 2007.


James…
more from

“Money is, after all, only money – you can
make it back, you can do with less of it if you
need to, you can even file for bankruptcy.

But children are not commodities James was
that can be replaced. executive
producer of two
prime-time TV
Some couples have found that by the time the series, DC and
court has heard their child custody case, Brimstone.

many of the precious dollars divided
between them in their prenup have
found their way to the lawyers.”



big idea from James...
a
“With a
pre-arranged custody
schedule
outlined before marriage, children wouldn't have James scripted
to witness their parents arguing about the details, the 2001 movie,
Deep Blue.
or, worse, be required to testify in court.
Besides, conversations about custody between
two newly engaged people could give them both
a window on what their future spouse will
be like – and what he or she will expect
as a parent.”



Jamie Alan Aycock
meet

Jamie Alan
Aycock is a
associate at
Wiley Rein LLP,
a Washington law
firm.

Jamie’ Washington office. From Google Maps.
s


Jamie thinks...
what

“This Article proposes that the law should
enable individuals to make
choices
that further their particular vision of the family,
without imposing that vision upon the whole of Jamie is a
society. graduate of
Harvard Law
Under this approach, couples could design terms School.
to further different types of relationship goals.
Because most individuals begin marriage hoping and
believing that it will last, extending contract
principles gives them the tools to actually
accomplish their lofty goals.”

Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy,
September 2006


Jamie…
more from

“ the commercial context, contracts are an
In
indispensable means for
securing commitments.
As marriages have become increasingly likely to end,
people have become less likely to marry in the first
And Jamie is
place. No-fault divorce allows either party to a graduate of
Cornell
unilaterally terminate the marriage for any University.
reason.
Advancing contract principles amounts only to legal
enforcement of the terms to which a couple
agrees apart from any state influence or
endorsement.”
September 2006


big idea from Jamie...
a
“The proposed marriage regime would simply
shift the law from favouring those whose
long-term interests are served by non-
enforcement of precommitments
to favouring those whose long-term
interests are served by enforcement. Jamie also served
as Briefing Attorney
to Justice Nathan
Although there may be a small minority that L. Hecht of the
would opt for a less exacting (non-binding) Texas Supreme
Court.
marriage relationship, it is difficult to
imagine that many people would choose
an explicitly ‘
second class’kind of
relationship.”
September 2006


time for a quick recap...
it’
s

In some
prominent
media
outlets,
some
innovative
minds…

…are
re-thinking marriage
for the 21st century.


new marriage
new thinking,


Got time for
one more
?
new thinker
on marriage


Colin PA Jones
meet

Colin PA Jones
is an Associate
Professor of Law
at Doshisha
University,
Kyoto, Japan

Colin (above left) with student.


Japan is a country that never seems to
bright ideas
run out of

Doshisha
University is a
prestigious
institution with
24,000 students.

But Japan is running out of…

people

story in numbers
the

At Doshisha
University Colin
teaches Anglo-
American law.

From:
Japan’ Death of Birth,
s
Russell Redenbaugh
and Natalia Davis,
(Lexington Issue Brief,
August 3, 2002)


story of one village
the
“When Nishiki Junior High opened half a century ago,
Fukuyo Suzuki, then a young mother, remembers joining
other parents on a warm May afternoon
to plant pink azaleas in the schoolyard.
The azaleas are still here. The school, which closed six
Colin grew up
years ago because of a shortage of children, now houses a in Canada, and
center for the elderly. now divides his
time between
Like one in four men in Nishiki, Fukuyo’ son remains single
s the US and
Japan.
and childless. ‘
Now, I hear our elementary school is going
to close, too’ she said. ‘ s so sad for us.’
, It’

‘
Children are vanishing from our lives.’”

Washington Post, March 3, 2005.


Colin
what thinks...

Colin attended
Duke Law School
in the US,
graduating in
international and
comparative law.

“Missing from the population debate is the experience of
fathers who are shocked to find that the family court
system cannot (or will not) protect their precious
investment of parental love when a marriage fails.”


Colin…
more from

For those who have experienced such tragedies, it
would be unsurprising if some concluded that there is
simply
too much pain and
emotional risk associated with Colin also holds
a degree degree

marriage and parenting. in Oriental
Languages and
Literature from
Small wonder then, that many people choose not to the University of
California.
get married, or to not have children if they do.
The price of failure is simply too high.”

The Japan Times, July 18, 2006.


Colin…
An example from

“ judge that it will be best for the child that the (parent)
We
pray from the shadows for his healthy
upbringing…
If worried about the child, ask through others, secretly
watch from behind a wall, and be satisfied with what is
Colin practised
heard about the way he is growing up. law for over ten
years in New
Acting in accordance with parental emotions, even if they York, Hong Kong
are based on parental love, will cause the child misfortune. and Tokyo.

Suppressing parental emotions
From Family Court
Cases 18-7-30,
Tokyo High Court.
for the sake of one’ child
s
Cited by Colin PA Jones,
Japan Law Workshop
at the times when then should be suppressed, that is
2005, University of
the true love of a parent towards a child.”
Washington.


big idea from Colin...
a

“ fundamental problem with marriage is that it is a
A

monopoly product supplied
by the government.
Subject to certain statutory constraints, business people have long been free
to form whatever sort of partnership they felt appropriate to their needs. Why
not make the same possible for marriage?
Couples entering into marriage should be able to use a partnership agreement
that is tailored to their own circumstances and aspirations, and that
reflects the values and expectations that they themselves
attach to marriage.”
San Francisco Chronicle, January 22, 2006.


bigger idea from Colin (1)...
a

“ course, it will be impractical to expect everyone to
Of
be able to draft a workable partnership agreement
that will govern a (hopefully) lifelong relationship.
Off-the-shelf marital partnership kits would be developed Colin is a member
of the bars of
by private enterprises to fill this need. New York and
Guam, and Palau.
Marital corporations would be a huge boost to
the multibillion-dollar wedding industry, while
opening up a vast range of possible business
opportunities throughout society.



bigger idea from Colin (2)...
a

Marital corporations that cater to
“
all sectors of society would turn marriage
into an even bigger business than it
Colin has
already is. published widely
on a variety of
legal subjects as
This is usually what well as on legal
philosophy.
happens when you offer
consumers more choice.”



it’ time to say...
s

‘Thank you’
to some
innovative
minds…

…for sharing their new thinking
on marriage for the 21st century.


actions > words

“Right now
it's only a notion,
but I think I can
get the money to
make it into a
concept, and
later turn it
into an idea.”
from ‘
Annie Hall’ Woody Allen (1977)
,


hello to…
say

WeDo Marriage® Limited

The world’ first marital corporation.
s


meaning
the most powerful motivator:

quot;The best reason to start an organization is

to make meaning.
Previously with
Meaning is not about money, power or prestige. Apple Computers,
It's about creating a product or service that can: Guy Kawasaki is
the author of
eight business
•Make the world a better place books and the
MD of venture
•Right a terrible wrong capital firm
garage.com.
•Prevent the end of something good.
•Increase the quality of life”

from ‘ Art of the Start’ Guy Kawasaki.
The ,


mission…
our


busy…
we’ getting
re


deadlines…
deadlines,

WeDo Marriage® Limited will begin
commercial operation
in Ireland and the United Kingdom
on 1 February 2008 –
in time for St. Valentine's Day.

In the following 24 months WeDo Marriage
will roll out in North America, continental
Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.


finally …
and

“The Stone Age did not end
because people ran out of stones.

It ended because it was time
for a re-think
about how we live.”

William McDonough


disclaimer
a

Opinions cited in the ‘
New Thinking,
New Marriage’ slideshow are purely
for informational purposes only.
Our sole intention is to demonstrate
the gathering intellectual support for
the concept of marriage based not on
family law but on contract law.
No individual named in ‘ New
Thinking, New Marriage’ associated
is
financially or otherwise with WeDo
Marriage® Limited or necessarily
endorses the particular services
offered by WeDo Marriage® Limited.

text & picture credits >>


credits
text
5: Gary S. Becker quoted from the website of the Nobel Institute (nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/
1992/becker-autobio.html). 8, 9 and 10: Gary S. Becker quoted from Business Week, December 29, 1997. Archived at the
University of Chicago (home.uchicago.edu/~gbecker/Businessweek/BW/1997/12_29_1997.pdf). 13, 14 and 15:
Wendy McElroy quoted from Fox News, July 16, 2002 (www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,57749,00.html). 17, 18 and 19:
David Boaz quoted from Slate magazine, April 25, 1997 (www.slate.com/id/2440/). 21, 22 and 23: James Andrew Miller
quoted from The New York Times, July 16, 2007. Reproduced on the website of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy
(www.marriagedebate.com/2007/07/three-parents-better-than-two-plus.htm). 25, 26 and 27: Jamie Alan Aycock quoted
from The Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, September, 2006 (www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/jlpp/Vol30
No1_Aycockonline.pdf). 34: Quoted from article by Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, March 3, 2005
(www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2548-2005Mar2.html) 35 and 36: Colin PA Jones quoted from The Japan
Times, July 18, 2006 (search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20060718z2.html). 37: Colin PA Jones quoted from Japan Law
Workshop 2005, University of Washington (law.anu.edu.au/anjel/documents/ResearchPublications/
Jones_ChildCustody.pdf). 38, 39 and 40: Colin PA Jones quoted from The San Francisco Chronicle, January 22, 2006
(sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/22/ING6FGOLVA1.DTL). 42: Quoted from the movie Annie Hall, MGM
Studios, 1997. 44: Quoted from excerpt of Guy Kawasaki’ book, The Art of Start, reproduced on Diego Rodriguez’
s s
Metacool blog website (metacool.typepad.com/metacool/files/1.01.ArtOfTheStart.pdf).


credits
picture
3: Photograph of Gary S. Becker from the website of the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago
(www.chicagogsb.edu/capideas/apr06/1.aspx). 4: Cover images of Gary S. Becker's books from the author's profile pages on the
website of the University of Chicago (home.uchicago.edu/~gbecker/Books/books.html). 5: Photograph of Gary S. Becker from the
news section of the website of the University of Chicago (experts.uchicago.edu/experts.php?id=5). Nobel images from the website of
the Nobel Foundation (nobelprize.org). Brooklyn Bridge image from the public collection of Pete Williams (www.flickr.com/photos/
petewilliams/312316443/). 6: Cover image of book by Gary S. Becker, translated into Japanese, from the news section of the website
of Hitotsubashi University, Japan (www.hit-u.ac.jp/function/outside/news/2005/0523.htm). 7: Cover images of Business Week
magazine from New Economist blog website (neweconomist.blogs.com). 11: Photograph of Gary S. Becker from the website of
Business Week magazine (www.businessweek.com/images/viewpoint_new/becker.jpg). 12: Photograph of Wendy McElroy from her
personal website (www.wendymcelroy.com/vesuvio.jpg). 13, 14 and 15: Photograph of Wendy McElroy from the website of
iFeminists (www.ifeminists.com/about/). 16, 17, 18 and 19: Photograph of David Boaz from the website of the Cato Institute
(www.cato.org/people/images/hires_new/dboaz.jp). 20, 21, 22 and 23: Photograph of James Andrew Miller from the website of
publishers, TW Bookmark (www.twbookmark.com/authors/93/2271/critical_praise.html). 20: Photograph of Bradley Whitford and
Matthew Perry from the website of MeeVee (blog.meevee.com/my_weblog/2006/08/its_easy_to_ima.html). 24: Satellite image of
Washington, DC, from Google Maps (maps.google.com). 24, 25, 26 and 27: Photograph of Jamie Alan Aycock from the website of
Wiley Rein (www.wileyrein.com/directory.cfm?pf=1&sp=bio&tp=article&attorney&ID=1093&isCurrent=1). 28: Coffee mug image
created using CafePress. Image montage from websites of named media outlets. 30: Image of Sky TV remote controller copyright of
Sky TV. 31: Photograph of Colin PA Jones from the East Asian Legal Studies Center section of the website of the University of
Wisconsin (www.law.wisc.edu/ealsc/scholarl.html). 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39 and 40: Photograph of Colin PA Jones with
student from the website of Doshisha University, Japan (www1.doshisha.ac.jp/~lskeisei/organization/organization.html). 32: Images
of SuperMario, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Sony DCR SR100 Digital Video Camera and the Toyota Prius are copyright of their respective
owners. 33: Graphs reproduced from Japan’ Death of Birth, Russell Redenbaugh and Natalia Davis, Lexington Issue Brief, August 3,
s
2002. Published on the website of Kairos, Inc (www.kairos-inc.com/Investing/IB%20on%20Japan.7.16.pdf). 42: Annie Hall movie
poster copyright of MGM Studios and reproduced from the company’ official website at (www.mgm.com/title_clip.php?
s
title_star=ANNIEHAL#). 44: Photograph of Guy Kawasaki from his personal blog (blog.guykawasaki.com). 46: Wexford All-Ireland
Senior Hurling Champions (1956) from Leinster GAA website (leinster.gaa.ie/photo_1950_1960s.htm).


Questions?

Niall Brennan Sam Carroll Brendan Munnelly

wedomarriage.com
Dublin, Ireland


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