For better for worse: Overview : SBS Insight

Overview

What's the real value in tying the knot these days?

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Over the past 20 years the number of people getting married in Australia has dropped by almost a quarter, while the number of defacto couples has risen dramatically.

New legislation will soon give separating de factos the same legal rights as separating married couples.

So where does that leave marriage?

Jenny Brockie talks to couples committed to the fairytale notion of marriage, people who have arranged marriages, de factos who've sworn off marriage forever, gay couples who've married and the many-times-married who still believe in finding the ideal mate.

Related Links:
Inquiry into the Family Law Amendment Bill 2008

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Meet the Guests

April and Sunil

Although Sunil did have the option of an arranged marriage, he chose to find love himself and married April in 2005.

Kathy Lette

Kathy Lette has been writing about relationships since her famous debut novel Puberty Blues. Kathy talks about the future of marriage, and whether it is going to be jilted at the altar.

Monica Dux and Kris Mrksa

Monica Dux, co-author of The Great Feminist Denial, is a self-proclaimed wedding sceptic. However she and her long term partner, Kris Mrksa have recently tied the knot to see what all the fuss is about. Monica and Kris talk about what marriage means to them.

Edwina MacDonald

Edwina MacDonald is a law reform and policy solicitor working at the NSW Women's Legal Service. She supports the new de facto laws as she thinks they'll provide equality for unmarried couples facing the courts.

Patrick Parkinson

Patrick Parkinson is a specialist in family law, child protection and the law of equity and trusts. He is opposed to the new law which gives de facto couples the same rights as married couples as he believes couples should be given the choice to retain their de facto status and not have the responsibilities of marriage thrust upon them.