PUBLIC OPINION > Relationship Contracts Are Kind of Sketchy
SodaHead Living
2012/05/30 21:00:00
Apparently, Mark Zuckerberg made some kind of "relationship contract" with his wife, 27-year-old Priscilla Chan. We're not sure if it's an actual paper-and-ink contract or just a verbal agreement, but it bound him to spend at least one date and 100 minutes of private time with Chan each week, as well as a yearly two-week vacation. Now, that doesn't sound unreasonable, but the term "relationship contract" could be enough to scare some people off. We asked the public if they would agree to one.
Most people wouldn't, but it was far from unanimous. A good 41% of respondents said they would be comfortable with one -- provided the terms were reasonable, of course. Especially if you're, say, Mark Zuckerberg. It's easy to see why Chan might have wanted to ensure that she got to spend time with the founder of the largest social network on the planet. He has a lot on his plate, and it's probably very easy to get sucked into his job. Maybe that's the type of grounding he needs. But most people aren't Zuckerberg. One commenter wrote, "If he wants to make time, he will make time on his own."
Singles Resist
You've got to be in a relationship to agree to a relationship contract (unless you have a very unique case of split personality), and respondents in an unmarried relationship were actually 18% more likely than singles to agree to one. Oddly enough, married couples were not as likely, coming in at 42% -- which is interesting because, as many commenters pointed out, marriage is literally a relationship contract.
Midlife Contract
Younger people and older people were not very likely to agree, but there was a pronounced spike between the ages of 25 and 45. That actually correlates pretty well to the relationship status demographic, assuming young people are often single, middle-aged people are often in relationships, and older people are often married. It also suggests that younger married couples might be more willing to agree.
Drinkers Don't Mind
We suspected drinkers and smokers might be less willing to agree to a contract on the assumption that drinking and smoking could very well be prohibited by such a contract, but the opposite was true. But obviously, no one would happily agree to something they weren't OK with, so maybe the extra 12% of drinkers who would agree are actually eager to quit.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about relationship contracts. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
-
HProcks12345 2012/05/30 22:31:52
+6those actually exist?!?!?! WTF?!?! I thought they were only real in the strange tv shows that i watch!!!
A relationship should be an investment of one's self, heart, and commitment.
If you dont have any of those things already emotionally contracted to that relationship than you should be in it.
i would agree to one.
That sucks... I don`t wanna be stuck with a woman I won`t like at all!
He's not as smart as everyone thought!
the only thing I know about contracts is just before signing them you HAVE to read the SMALL print. LOL.
if you're gonna marry
somebody of such high profile,
you should probably NOT EXPECT,
let alone D.E.M.A.N.D. thier attention ~
And if you DO, perhaps they should NOT
marry YOU, since you kinda already KNEW
who / what you were getting before you married !?!
That said, NOBODY should get hitched unless they're
ready / willing / able to devote love and attention accordingly...
STILL, apparently- no one ever even bothers to read even the first sentence of text.
" Apparently, Mark Zuckerberg made some kind of "relationship contract" with his WIFE,"
and reacts only and emotionally to the title.
And such poor analyses- of course people in a relationship are able to make a prudent judgement re: ......relationships- as opposed to single people.
We don't assume the difference in demos regarding age because
" , assuming young people are often single, middle-aged people are often in relationships, and older people are often married."
because it's not true- and it's a matter of socialization- not marital status.
I really believe SH is so conservative, and getting so far behind the times and movement of the progression of the youth- and America- that it will be a sidebar in 10 years.
If you have to have a relationship contract, I wonder if you have a relationship !
United under god? The last time i checked, it was two people that made a relationship, I didn't know god watched people have sex.
Trust? Tell a battered wife she has to trust her husband.
why would need to sign a contract?