Katiebear

Unbelievable.....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7826719/

Impotent ex-husband ordered to pay damages
Italy's Supreme Court backs woman's 'right to sexuality'

Updated: 7:14 a.m. ET
May 12, 2005ROME - An impotent Italian man who kept his problem a secret from his wife until after their wedding must pay her damages for "eroding" her right to have a family, Italy's Supreme Court has ruled.

The woman, identified by the Italian media as Cristina S., was quick to get her marriage annulled in the 1990s after learning to her horror that her husband could not consummate it.

She then demanded damages, saying she had been robbed of her "right to sexuality" and the promise of a family. Despite losing legal battles in lower courts, she kept appealing, and finally the Supreme Court found in her favor.

"Her fundamental right (was) eroded to fully realize a family, as a woman and a wife, and eventually as a mother," according to excerpts from the court ruling published in Italian newspapers on Thursday.

The amount of damages will be settled by a lower court in Sicily, where the unhappy couple were married

GrhmLz

Is this for real?

I'm not defending this man for lying and keeping it a secret because that was deceitful. However, I think this woman took it a little too far when she sought damages. I mean, an annulment is one thing but damages?

In Fair Verona

It seems a little selfish and resentful to me. There's still time to get a new husband and start a new family, is there not? Unless she was married at an older age, I suppose. Nonetheless, that is just... taking it a little too far.

I'm sure the husband isn't exactly happy about it either, but way to rub it in his face. He was in the wrong, but I think he's gotten more than what he deserved. It's also kind of lovely how gender-roles are so implemented into our society. If you are married you must be a mother, eh? I mean, obviously it is okay for two individuals to assume those positions for themselves but when the supreme court certifies that, eh. I don't know much about Italian society.

Anabela

I understand her. She was lied to. And we don't know for how long they were engaged. He could have lied to her for a long time.
But asking him to pay for damages seems a bit too extreme.

RedRockSedona

I don't know how it is in Italy but here in the States it is the bride's side of the family that pays for the wedding. If this is the case I think she should at least be compensated for that

LittleMilkJug

I totally agree with this, he should have been honest with her, she had the right to chose to continue or not.
Anyway in Italy there are hardly ever multi million dollar pay outs in damages... she will be lucky if she gets the cost of the wedding, legal fees and not much more.

angelfallon

I kind of sympathize with the woman. If I were in her shoes I probably would not sue and just let the guy go (if he is impotent then he has probably got enough problems already) but yeah I would be pissed and I can't hate on her for wanting him to pay. Marriage is a scary enough venture already without having your prospective mate lie to you.