The Editor, Sir:

If we follow the international news carefully, we will see the huge sums been paid out to ex-wives as settlement for break-ups. This is an alarming trend and the lessons should be learnt by those who are preparing for marriage and those in existing marriages. The thing that I am concerned about is that marriage seems to be a cosmetic arrangement or a stroll in the garden.

The facts are there to be seen. There are numerous celebrities and corporate individuals having their marriages falling apart even before consummation and it seems as if it will not end. The other day I was looking at some statistics for a particular country and the percentage of marriages stumbling has reached unprecedented levels over the last decade.

The question we should ask is why are marriages breaking up at the point where both parties are just about achieving true success? Is it that men are ungrateful, or their egos have got to their heads? The recent ruling by the Privy Council was not surprising to me because if you should do your research, Mr. Editor, you will see that big settlements have been paid out by a number of husbands to their ex-wives in recent times in England.

Be absolutely certain

I am using this ruling to implore the men and women of Jamaica to be absolutely certain before they tie the knot. We cannot be taking marriage as a piece of cake that you have until you become tired; nor can we take it for a 100-metre sprint where you run against the clock. Also women should be given full recognition for the contribution they have made to the lives of their husbands. On the other hand, I will not agree with any law that is going to reward women who might not have contributed in any way to the success of their husbands.

There are numerous women who through divorce have become wealthy but they did not contribute in any way or form to the success of the men. It is unfair for a man to toil day and night and all he received from the woman was companionship, then you are asked to give her millions in divorce settlement. If you work hard and contributed to your husband's success, you should be treated fairly and be properly compensated.

Lessons should be learnt. We must return to the days of my late grandfather who believed that there was nothing in the world that could have broken his relationship. He was a pioneer and that is the hope for my son, to have a wife he will spend the rest of his life with.

Let us learn from the Privy Council ruling. No more 100-metre sprint marriages, or divorce can cost you a fortune. I would rather have my wife and celebrate our successes together than not having her and going to the Privy Council.

I am, etc.,

CRAIG DAVIS

Chartered Accountant and Member of the

Freelance Writers Association (England)