Should Sociopaths legally only allowed to marry other Sociopaths?

I’m really sorry that you had to live through being married to a sociopath. But you didn’t know he was when you married him. Who will determine those that are sociopath? Yeah, it would be hard to diagnose this.

I would think with all the tests that are available maybe the government could come up with something pragmatic that could be administered by an official that would at least notify the couple of the overwhelming possibility that you or your partner has tested high on the evaluation for sociopathic or psychopathic perdonality traits.
Then they could possibly give you a trial period and some counselling if you decide to go forth with the marriage anyway.
At least a couple would be confidentially made aware of the personality disorder and would have some idea if what they’re getting into or just deny them a marriage license all together.

It is a legitimate concern, but not something the government will ever get involved in.
The best you can expect is to ask any prospective SO to be tested, and maybe have them agree to it.

Well that is an easy way down a slippery slope. How about passing a test for narcissism, or alcoholism, or codependency, or maybe just having an EQ above a certain level?

The main hindrance to such a scheme would be in establishing standards. I suspect the numbers of such folks out there is probably significantly higher than most of us would prefer to believe

No.

No. This is no business of the government whatsoever.
@zenvelo exactly what I was thinking.

It’s not the government’s fault if you make a bad choice in a marriage partner.

Watch this TED talk. The diagnosis of mental disorders is fucked up. It’s sort of like, ‘pot calling kettle black’... https://www.ted.com/talks/jon_ronson_strange_answers_to_the_psychopath_test
I read his book The Psychopath Test and it was shocking. So, people should watch who they diagnose with so-called ‘mental disorders’. You say socio-path… I say, he’s just a general, run of the mill asshole.

I didn’t say it was the government’s fault, but marriage is a legally binding contract enforced by the government and divorces are expensive and painful.
I just thought maybe some studies could be done to possibly understand the effects of these un diagnosed personality disorders on marriages having lived through one myself.
I take full responsibility for getting into the relationship at a young age and not understanding sociopathic disorders and behaviour, but I know now how damaging it is and I don’t think it hurts to brainstorm ideas about creating awareness or even helping people to get diagnosed before they get married.
Marriage is no joke and it completely changes your life and I think everyone including the government should take it very seriously and find out why the divorce rate is so high and why some people end up so damaged after a divorce?

I’m sorry you are hurting. I didn’t mean for my comment to add more hurt. I’m sorry.

@jonsblond I am hurting, but you are entitled to your opinion as well.
Thank you for being respectful about it.

Sorry my other answer didn’t work.
I think I would agree with @Patty_Melt the government likely wouldn’t get involved.

There is a significant amount of mental illness in my family. I probably ding the genetic red flags for all sorts of stuff, and I’ve been happily married for ten years.

I’m very sorry your ex was a schmuck. However, I will never in good conscience advocate for removing rights from people based on their genes.

We are greater than the sum of our parts.

@Becca543 The divorce rate is high because we as a society recognize that relationships end and that people should not be held hostage to their marriage once it has gone its course.

Most people are serially monogamous. And while your ex may have been awful, not everybody who divorces is getting a way from a sociopath.

Sociopathy is a spectrum type illness, who draws the lines? Who says sociopaths are automatically evil?

No, but I think people should really get to know each other over many years (I would say 5 at the minimum) and live together for several years before getting married. Most people should get some pre-emptive couples counseling before getting married too.

You guys have some good points, very politically correct, however I don’t think most people can honestly relate to what it is like being in a relationship with someone who seems to be on the high end of the spectrum of being sociopathic and possibly even psychopathic.
If only I had known more about these disorders, like I seriously think there needs to be more awareness about these disorders made available for young people and they should know that it is real and in my experience my ex looked at me and said “I don’t know why I lie and I don’t know why I’m a horrible person, I just am.”
My ex is suffering from this disorder as well.
In my experience a neurotypical person will end a marriage or relationship with some consideration of the other person’s emotions and well being and try to remain friends.
My ex flipped a switch, stopped pretending to care at all, became aggressive, abusive, lied, cheated and tried to use our child as a tool and threatened to take our child away to trap me so I couldn’t leave.
I think an average person can be reasoned with, but my ex went out of our marriage like a bulldozer for no good reason other than just a complete lack of empathy, respect and no sign of any conscience what’s so ever.
I don’t know what the solution is to helping people who are in marriages with socio/psychopathic people, but I feel like if I hadn’t experienced it first hand I wouldn’t think much of it either.
I honestly hope none of you ever go through the confusing, overwhelming and shockingly painful experiences I had being married to a person with no conscience, sense of accountability, desire to treat anyone with respect or any interest in telling the truth unless to just see how much it hurts me in almost a sadistic way.
It sucked and I feel like I am better prepared to recognize that type of personality early on in any future relationships I have and I hope the best for my ex as well because it’s not a person’s fault that they’re sociopathic and I don’t understand how life must be for a person who just doesn’t give a shit about others no matter how hard you love them.
It’s more sad than anything.

@Becca543 I totally agree that more awareness needs to be raised! I feel so sad that you went through this and that there is a child part of it as well.

@Becca543 – I can honestly relate. Trust me.

However, removing the right to engage in a marriage contract will not make sociopathy or narcissism or bad relationships disappear.

All it will do is create a class of second class citizens based on something over which they have no control, whether they exhibit symptoms or not.