Impotent ex-husband must pay damages

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 Thursday.

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

Too late, the man realized he wasn't quite up to the challenges posed by marriage. Even though he was just an old softy, his new wife failed to get a grasp on his situation. She excalmed in anger "I've kept a stiff upper lip but you won't even throw me a bone!" Then she stomped out of their tiny house with the sagging roof. The man failed to see the enormity of her anger and assumed it was a little, insignificant, thing that would slide by without notice. So, he continued to lie flacidly on the couch and did not even rise to the occaison and attempt to stop her. The new bride ran across the rock hard ground, wishing she could find a real man than would stand tall and pround. Unfortunately in the darkness, she failed to see the rod left laying on the ground, she triped over it and fell into a ravine. As she stood up she noticed a tent, that, oddly enough, seemed to be made out of trousers. Hearing the commotion outside, two men exited the tent and quickly rushed over to help they young woman up. They introduced themselves as Woody and Peter. Peter said, Miss, it an awfully cold night, why don't you sit down and have a stiff drink with us?" The new bride responded, "Yes, something hard would be good for a change..."

My thoughts, too.

I understand the ancient recognition that this is part of marriage and hence, grounds for annulment, but still, there is love. Real love, not lust.

After all, surely we all reach a point where the sex thing just isn't there, anyway.

I can understand the woman here, but frankly, that poor guy must hurt big-time now. She sure hasn't *helped* his impotence any. Which BTW, I would see as a challenge. ;-)

Maybe he was just too much a coward to mention it. In any case, annulment is OK. Obviously, some1's going to be a pain in the butt and it's not worth it for that alone.

Makes me think I'm glad my fiance has been so open w/me. I've tried to be open w/him, tho probably not as good at it.

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