NY Times: In France, Civil Unions Gain Favor Over Marriage (95 % of unions by heterosexual couples)

[marmar]

In France, Civil Unions Gain Favor Over Marriage
By SCOTT SAYARE and MAÏA DE LA BAUME

Published: December 15, 2010


PARIS — Some are divorced and disenchanted with marriage; others are young couples ideologically opposed to marriage, but eager to lighten their tax burdens. Many are lovers not quite ready for old-fashioned matrimony.

Whatever their reasons, and they vary widely, French couples are increasingly shunning traditional marriages and opting instead for civil unions, to the point that there are now two civil unions for every three marriages.

When France created its system of civil unions in 1999, it was heralded as a revolution in gay rights, a relationship almost like marriage, but not quite. No one, though, anticipated how many couples would make use of the new law. Nor was it predicted that by 2009, the overwhelming majority of civil unions would be between straight couples.

It remains unclear whether the idea of a civil union, called a pacte civil de solidarité, or PACS, has responded to a shift in social attitudes or caused one. But it has proved remarkably well suited to France and its particularities about marriage, divorce, religion and taxes — and it can be dissolved with just a registered letter. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/world/europe/16france.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

[HEyHEY]

1. Well, it was never a step for gay rights anyway.May as well be useful for something.

[Davis_X_Machina]

2. There is an almost-two-centuries old...

...tradition of civil marriage in France, going back to the time of the Revolution, and the Code Napoleon. The difference between a civil 'marriage' and a PACS isn't all that great to begin with. The relative popularity of two forms of civil recognition is changing

So this isn't all that remarkable an occurance.

Two ceremonies -- one at the mairie or hôtel de ville, and another one later at church etc., are the norm even for people who also have church weddings. The minister/rabbi/imam can't marry anyone, not in the eyes of the law, and will need to see the civil document before he or she performs the second ceremony. What's passing away is the first ceremony.

[Renew Deal]

3. Pretty interesting

:kick: