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Term Limits: An Evolutionary Fix for Marriage
Rethinking the entire legal process of marriage, which is built upon bad laws and old traditions, this revolutionary plan makes a series of simple, yet logical, adjustments to the order and manner in which things are currently done. By shining a brilliant light upon the factors that have caused marriage to fail and divorce rates to skyrocket, the resulting process takes on the power to dramatically increase the satisfaction level within a marriage throughout the duration of the experience. With society evolving at an unbelievable pace and new technologies giving us instant access to information, the institution of marriage is simply not keeping up, and millions of people are prevented from reaching their highest potential. By introducing the concept of "term limits" into a marriage contract, these changes and the development of individual freedoms are more widely considered in the drawing of an agreement—arguably the most important relationship a person will enter in their lifetime—that has ironically been almost void of thought at inception. The system introduced in this book examines the objectives of marriage and creates an arrangement to support, rather than undermine, those goals, at a time when the definition of marriage could not be more critical.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
4 people want to read
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July 29, 2016
TERM LIMITS BY BRAD BROWN AND DAVE SHIELDS
Bernie's Rating: 2 out of 5
Michelle's Rating: 4 out of 5
Combined Rating: 3 Stars
HE SAID
As my wife was finishing one of her many book reviews, I decided to pick up a book from her nightstand and give it a read. At the conclusion, I was left wondering who this book was written for. Is it for the person thinking of getting married, or is it for those who are married and thinking about change? The author tells me that today’s marriages most likely won’t last, sounds bitter, and purports to have a solution to a better marriage, or at least to feeling better after divorcing. He regurgitates all the dismal data on the chances of a long, happy marriage, and offers psychological, if not scientific steps to reduce the pain of a letdown.
Term Limits is the written contract-based procedure to marriage expectations. Essentially, before you make a commitment, really get to know your partner. Then write down both partners expectations to include “deal-breakers”. He sells this as if it is something new, yet most religions promote this as part of premarital counseling. The author explains that term limits be established for each designated period, and if the contract is not fulfilled, either cut and run, or renegotiate.
His view that marriage is taken less seriously than divorce is dead-on, and our society needs a wake-up call. It should be harder to get married than buying a new car. The author offers personal and societal remedies and incentives to make marriages last, and sound advice on being open and “educated” on committed relationships. Akin to renewing your vows and celebrating anniversaries, when term limits have expired successfully, new honeymoons are in order. If you have an agnostic and legal viewpoint, this book definitely has you in mind.
I give this book two stars since it gives good information and a website dedicated to help you devise checklists for expectations. I hold back the other three stars since the book is scattered, repetitive, and drawn out for lack of new material.
SHE SAID
I loved reading my husband’s review because I disagreed with quite a few points that he wrote, so it gave us a good opportunity to talk about Term Limits. So, I’m going to go point by point through his review and give my thoughts. He said he was left wondering who the book was written for: I say it’s for anyone wanting to try something different with their marriage, or before marriage. I agree that the author sounds bitter and he does offer a lot of data, but I liked the data. In fact, I loved Term Limits.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think the information in this book is anything new. In fact, Tom Cruise and Scientology have been using a pseudo-term limits contract for all three of his marriages and divorces. But what I really like is that author Brad Brown breaks the information down and wraps it up in a wonderful package so that no matter who you are, it’s a great first step.
I also like the fact that this book creates a communication between two people. In today’s society, I don’t think we get enough honest communication. I believe that instead of dreams, couples need to talk about “expectations,” instead of who’s to blame, let’s talk about what we believe are “deal breakers.”
Of course you know I was overly ecstatic about celebrating at the end of each “term limit.” What girl wouldn’t want to have another reason to have her man openly cherish her! Yet besides the celebration this book tackles marriage with gusto and tells everyone: communicate! What could be so wrong with that, right? There are times in a marriage when a person doesn’t want to hear the truth, which is why I think establishing term limits can be crucial.
Where did this book go slightly askew for me? The deal breakers. Another convenient way we can get divorced. In marriage, there shouldn’t be deal breakers. I know what you are thinking: isn’t she wearing rose-colored glasses today? I would agree with you, because for me, marriage is forever. Now let’s say I ever get a divorce, I might be back to modify this post, but having only been married and never divorced, I want to keep my glasses on today!
I would most definitely recommend this book. It’s an easy read, a wonderful communication builder, and a good starting point for a lot of people.
Bernie's Rating: 2 out of 5
Michelle's Rating: 4 out of 5
Combined Rating: 3 Stars
HE SAID
As my wife was finishing one of her many book reviews, I decided to pick up a book from her nightstand and give it a read. At the conclusion, I was left wondering who this book was written for. Is it for the person thinking of getting married, or is it for those who are married and thinking about change? The author tells me that today’s marriages most likely won’t last, sounds bitter, and purports to have a solution to a better marriage, or at least to feeling better after divorcing. He regurgitates all the dismal data on the chances of a long, happy marriage, and offers psychological, if not scientific steps to reduce the pain of a letdown.
Term Limits is the written contract-based procedure to marriage expectations. Essentially, before you make a commitment, really get to know your partner. Then write down both partners expectations to include “deal-breakers”. He sells this as if it is something new, yet most religions promote this as part of premarital counseling. The author explains that term limits be established for each designated period, and if the contract is not fulfilled, either cut and run, or renegotiate.
His view that marriage is taken less seriously than divorce is dead-on, and our society needs a wake-up call. It should be harder to get married than buying a new car. The author offers personal and societal remedies and incentives to make marriages last, and sound advice on being open and “educated” on committed relationships. Akin to renewing your vows and celebrating anniversaries, when term limits have expired successfully, new honeymoons are in order. If you have an agnostic and legal viewpoint, this book definitely has you in mind.
I give this book two stars since it gives good information and a website dedicated to help you devise checklists for expectations. I hold back the other three stars since the book is scattered, repetitive, and drawn out for lack of new material.
SHE SAID
I loved reading my husband’s review because I disagreed with quite a few points that he wrote, so it gave us a good opportunity to talk about Term Limits. So, I’m going to go point by point through his review and give my thoughts. He said he was left wondering who the book was written for: I say it’s for anyone wanting to try something different with their marriage, or before marriage. I agree that the author sounds bitter and he does offer a lot of data, but I liked the data. In fact, I loved Term Limits.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think the information in this book is anything new. In fact, Tom Cruise and Scientology have been using a pseudo-term limits contract for all three of his marriages and divorces. But what I really like is that author Brad Brown breaks the information down and wraps it up in a wonderful package so that no matter who you are, it’s a great first step.
I also like the fact that this book creates a communication between two people. In today’s society, I don’t think we get enough honest communication. I believe that instead of dreams, couples need to talk about “expectations,” instead of who’s to blame, let’s talk about what we believe are “deal breakers.”
Of course you know I was overly ecstatic about celebrating at the end of each “term limit.” What girl wouldn’t want to have another reason to have her man openly cherish her! Yet besides the celebration this book tackles marriage with gusto and tells everyone: communicate! What could be so wrong with that, right? There are times in a marriage when a person doesn’t want to hear the truth, which is why I think establishing term limits can be crucial.
Where did this book go slightly askew for me? The deal breakers. Another convenient way we can get divorced. In marriage, there shouldn’t be deal breakers. I know what you are thinking: isn’t she wearing rose-colored glasses today? I would agree with you, because for me, marriage is forever. Now let’s say I ever get a divorce, I might be back to modify this post, but having only been married and never divorced, I want to keep my glasses on today!
I would most definitely recommend this book. It’s an easy read, a wonderful communication builder, and a good starting point for a lot of people.
July 14, 2013
In Term Limits, Brad Brown proposes a fix to our countries high divorce rate with term limits. Yes, term limits, like the ones given to elected officials. It's definitely out-of-the-box thinking and, while I'm not sure if I'm 100% sold on it, it's one of the better solutions that I've come across.
With the Term Limit system, every relationship has a contract with a set expiration date that you can choose to renew, you can alter it with new terms, or you can end the relationship and part ways as per the steps set forth in the contract. It's kind of like a prenup, but what I think works about this plan is that it focuses on a part of the relationship that is a problem for many couple: communication.
From the get go, this system forces a couple to discuss areas of importance and possible sources of contention. Once you enter your marriage, there will be no surprise opinions regarding children, money, how much to time to spend with your parents, if you should have date nights, etc. I have to agree with Brown that many people enter relationships without really knowing where his or her partner stands on key issues, which really weakens your union without the couple even realizing it.
Another aspect of the Term Limits system that I liked was how much more the relationship is celebrated. In addition to anniversaries, couples would also celebrate each contract renewal.
If you are curious about alternate approaches to the conventional system of marriage, Term Limits is definitely worth the read. It's not long and has a friendly conversational tone with all its ideas completely in layman's terms so you understand any legal terms and Brown's ideas easily.
With the Term Limit system, every relationship has a contract with a set expiration date that you can choose to renew, you can alter it with new terms, or you can end the relationship and part ways as per the steps set forth in the contract. It's kind of like a prenup, but what I think works about this plan is that it focuses on a part of the relationship that is a problem for many couple: communication.
From the get go, this system forces a couple to discuss areas of importance and possible sources of contention. Once you enter your marriage, there will be no surprise opinions regarding children, money, how much to time to spend with your parents, if you should have date nights, etc. I have to agree with Brown that many people enter relationships without really knowing where his or her partner stands on key issues, which really weakens your union without the couple even realizing it.
Another aspect of the Term Limits system that I liked was how much more the relationship is celebrated. In addition to anniversaries, couples would also celebrate each contract renewal.
If you are curious about alternate approaches to the conventional system of marriage, Term Limits is definitely worth the read. It's not long and has a friendly conversational tone with all its ideas completely in layman's terms so you understand any legal terms and Brown's ideas easily.
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