MARRIAGES TODAY (where did we go wrong?)

Marriage is meant to be a lifelong institution, not a cohabitation for a while as long as things were good. Today, Divorce lawyers seem to be making a fat purse from unending divorce suits accross the world. The marriages of our grandparents did stand the test of time, but today reverse is the case. I keep asking myself this question 'where did we go wrong?'

I once spoke to a young attorney who was recently called to bar, about the most challenging part of his practice. He said 'I didn't take family law in school, but my desk is full of divorce cases'. The question is, why do the so-called 'loving couple' resolve to annul their marriage?

I think western civilization has it fair share in the blame. When our grandparents were married, the was no such thing as 'divorce', once you are married, you are married, there is no backing out. Making couples aware of the fact that there is such an option as 'divorce', which even comes with additional benefits these days, such as: half the property of the spouse acquired during the marriage, legal maintenance of the divorcee by her ex-husband amongst others has made divorce a very attractive option.

Also, globalization has a hand in it, the emergence of globalization brought about activism for the rights of women. Married women are now under the 'insane delusion' that they are equals with their husband and as such they have equal right. It is my opinion, that inequality of rights between couples is a key ingredient to the sustainability of the marriages of our forefathers. 

Finally, changing societal values was the last straw that broke the camels back. We lost out on our 'invaluably' rich custom and values. Married women are no longer accorded special place in the society, what we have now embraced is the culture of 'baby-mama'; our ingenious invention for promoting promiscuity. I can't but allude to the biblical expression 'what we ought to be ashamed of, we are proud of'. We now raise 'career women' rather than 'caring mothers'.  

I don't seem to see a way out of this crisis that threatens the continuous existence of the institution of marriage. I therefore call on you, for suggestions. Let's salvage this institution together. 

LAW THROUGH LITERATURE: (RAPE)

Darkness descended upon me in my youthful days

A lovely encounter, every woman prays

To a precious lover, she lays

Not to the hideous monster who steals away

The road I pass on several days

He laid siege for me on lonely lanes

Suddenly, he grabbed me with veins

Alas, he sprayed me on cold laze

I screamed from unbearable pains

He tore my clothes in many ways

Clogged me to the ground with heavy chains

Covered my mouth with all his veins

I shattered like a broken case

As he penetrated with monstrous veins

I took to a judge his case

They all questioned my virtuous ways

The world tormented me with hurtful gaze

Christened again with many names

Harlot!

Loose woman!

Of him, no one spoke again.

AMAZING LEGAL FACTS ABOUT RAPE

Rape is a social menace affecting mostly young women and girls generally, usually orchestrated by males (raping of males is an uncommon phenomenon). It involves having sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent, often accompanied by violence or threat of violence to the victims. The victims of rape are usually susceptible to diseases and infections not to talk of the psychological trauma they are exposed to which usually manifest in form of: self-hate, low self-esteem, poor self-worth, broken trust, fear, hatred for others, amongst others.

LEGAL FACTS ABOUT RAPE

1.       1. In a suit of rape, proof of absence of consent of the victim is essential to its success.

2.       2. To prove rape, proof of penetration (i.e penetration of the female vagina by the male organ) is        required. Mere words, threats, or tearing of the victim’s cloth will not suffice. 

3.       3. A female cannot be charged with rape or procuring rape, even if she procures another person to rape the victim.

4.       4. Inserting of objects, such as a bottle, in the female vagina will not amount to rape. Even though a greater damage may have been done.

5.       5. As a defense to a suit of rape, a rapist may provide evidence that the victim is of loose morals and have had consensual sex with him in the past.

6.       6. In the face of the law, a husband cannot rape is wife as long as they are legally married.

7.       7. Any sexual intercourse with a girl that has not attained the age of 14years is rape, as a girl below the age of 14years is presumed in law not to be able to give consent to sex.

The legal attitude to rape is a very strict one, it can be seen to promote marital rape (since a husband cannot be charged with raping his wife), although there are reports of a husband having unconsented sex with his wife. The right of the husband to have sex with his wife extends even to when she is tired, fasting, or menstruating. In other to eliminate the ‘monster’ called rape the right of a husband to sex should be reviewed.

Also, the law on rape should be extended to cover cases of inserting of objects in a woman’s vagina.

Furthermore, giving evidence of the woman loose morals or previous consensual sex with the rapist should not have a bearing in a case of rape. A woman should have the freedom to have sex with whom she pleases, when she pleases.

In addition, the requirement of prove of penetration is barbaric. Witnesses testimony as well as the testimony of the victim should suffice.

Finally, a female who procures another person to rape the victim ought to be charged with rape together with the person she procures.

LAW AND COMEDY

JOKE 1
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GOOD LAWYER AND A BAD LAWYER

A bad lawyer can let a case drag out for several years. A good lawyer can make it last even longer.

The lawyer's son wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, so he went to law school and graduated with honors. Then he went home to join his father's firm.
At the end of his first day at work, he rushed into his father's office and said, "Father, father! In one day I broke the Smith case that you've been working on for so long!"
His father yelled, "You idiot! We've been living on the funding of that case for ten years!"

JOKE 2
LAWYER AND MONEY
A lawyer e-mailed a client: “Dear Jennifer: Thought I saw you on the street the other day. Crossed over to say hello, but it wasn’t you, so I went back. One tenth of an hour, your fee is $30.”

JOKE 3
STUPID QUESTIONS LAWYERS ASK
Attorney: "How was your first marriage terminated?"
Witness: "By death."
Attorney: "And by whose death was it terminated?"
Witness: "Guess."

Attorney: "Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?"
Witness: "All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight."

JOKE 4
STUPID CLIENTS

I was in juvenile court, prosecuting a teen suspected of burglary, when the judge asked everyone to stand and state his or her name and role for the court reporter.
"Leah Rauch, deputy prosecutor," I said.
"Linda Jones, probation officer."
"Sam Clark, public defender."
"John," said the teen who was on trial. "I’m the one who stole the truck."

LAW MEETS FASHION

ARE THERE OTHER TRENDY WAYS TO WEAR YOUR WHITE AND BLACK?

The customary use of black and white has made many people find legal studies in Nigeria uninteresting. It has earned law students the nickname ‘choir’ or ‘waiter/waitress’ from envious people in other faculties. It is true that the use of the uniform helps to project the serious nature of the profession and promote orderliness, however, wearing the black and white can indeed be boring. Here are a few tips that can help you overcome the boredom and look trendy in your black and white.

1.    Wear a dotted tie: Dotted black ties look more attractive on your white than the customary black tie. There are a varieties of designs of black tie that you can wear that can help spice up your outlook other than the customary black tie.

2.       Wear trendy black gowns: black gowns look better on females that the customary white shirt and black skirt. Many stores offer many classy and trendy black gowns for an affordable price.

3.       Change your blazers and suits: it’s quite arguable that blazers look better and are more preferable on law students than cooperate suits. However, a double breasted suits can also work the magic. You may also change the color of the buttons on your double breasted suits to suit your taste.

4.       Change your shoes and bags: shoes and bags are an important aspect of dressing. Certain types of appearance fits certain type of shoes. You can change your shoes and bags to give your appearance a different look. This is applicable to both male and females.

5.       Wear classy shirts: not all whites are the same. These days, white shirts come in different designs and materials such that you can put on your white for five days without it looking as though you are wearing same whites.

6.       Waist coats and sweaters: waist coats and sweaters can also be used to spice up your dressing and give you a different look than you had on the previous day.

7.       Use of accessories: the law faculty does not permit the use of certain accessories but the use of wristwatches, and sun shades are not forbidden. Ladies are also permitted to use varieties of ear rings and necklace with certain restriction. You could find out about accessories not prohibited in your faculty and use them creatively.

8.       Be creative: this last tip is entirely up to you. As I usually would say GO GAGA! Wear anything that makes you look good as long as it is not prohibited. In fashion the rule is ‘there are no rules’.