Mexico Abandons Vows Seen As Sexist

[Judi Lynn]

Mexico Abandons Vows Seen As Sexist
By KARA ANDRADE , 07.30.2006, 01:27 PM

For 147 years, marriage vows in Mexico portrayed women as delicate, weak and potentially annoying.

These days, judges across Mexico are switching to versions that stress equality and mutual support, reflecting the growing power of women in a country still struggling with macho attitudes.

"As a father, I wouldn't want a judge to tell to my daughter that she was the weakest part of a human being and that she is subject to her husband's rule," said Salvador Mendoza, a civil court judge in Mexico City who stopped reading the old vows in 2001.

The old vows, a 537-word ode to marriage, were considered open-minded and ahead of their time when they were penned 147 years ago by Melchor Ocampo, a Mexican lawyer, scientist and liberal politician.
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http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/entremgmt/feeds/ap/2006/07/30/ap2913958.html