Page 58 - The Circle of Life

Keep in mind that when I say man I also mean woman and these days same sex

marriages are allowed in many parts of the world including South Africa but not
under the Marriage Act. That is done under the Civil Union Act as the Marriage
Act does not recognise a marriage as anything else between man and woman.

Consequently with the Civil Union Act gays and lesbians can also be legally

married. Not all consider homosexuals to be animals as one African dictator put
it so inelegantly recently. For myself I believe in marriage between man and
woman only but I do not discriminate or judge. Their problems in life should be

between them and God and I know my opinion is of no relevance. Whatever

their sexual orientation they stay humans and quite nice people also. Don't mix
religion with law. It is wrong to treat some different than others without good

reason.

I read that during colonial times in North America betrothal was seen as a trial

marriage which would or could if you wish only go forward to marriage if a child
is conceived. Honestly I am not sure about the reason for this attitude and not

at all what I expected from a country as puritanical as America. It is not my idea
of American public morals which I learned by reading Westerns up to the age of

nine and then switched to History proper. I think that even in todays enlighten
society, this would be frowned upon.

I suspect in some countries deflowering a virgin in a trial marriage may be a

crime if not a delict. Most certainly, in recent years, we had a case where a
fellow married a virgin whilst knowing he is still married to another woman and

he was hammered in both the civil and criminal courts. The law does not take
kindly to such behaviour as it is presumed in law that a woman's virginity is a

serious matter (as it is and should be) for once broken it stays broken even if
physically repaired.

It is also well-known in law that a woman with children is a lesser "catch" than
one who is a virgin but I expect that this will be challenged under the equality

laws. The amounts given as compensation differ drastically between the two

when it comes to seduction awards. Not sure it should be on the law books
anymore.

The legal consequences of being engaged

57