In Argentina, a new civil code is being put on the congressional table for discussion. The current code was established in 1871 and the changes made to it since have been partial and patchy. To keep with the times, the government has decided to re-address certain aspects of the code in order to update it and give it a “South American vision”. Some of the changes being debated circle around marriage, divorce, adoption, and assisted fertilisation.

These are big adjustments that will affect Argentines for many years to come, so we hit the streets to see what the people think over the proposed reforms and what it will mean for the country.

Portraits by Diego Cupolo.

Nacho Viturro, 37, seller and musician, Pinamar

I think it’s good - surely we need to adapt to new ways. These are rules that have been around for 500 years (sic), rules that are strict and that are being preached by some who abuse their power. Most of it comes from our history as a Catholic nation and those things may not apply anymore. The reform will be good for Argentina to grow, to move away from that. The reform addresses that every life is different and that certain institutions have no right to impose how we should live.

Maria Ofelia, 57, knitter and artisan, Constitución

The change is important to integrate everyone with different lives, different ways of living, and to have the option to choose how to live. Adoption and marriage (especially for homosexuals) are issues that need to be looked at, evaluated and integrated into our civil code. With divorce, each person has the right to say whether or not to stay with someone, it’s the right to choose. You have the right to choose. When it comes to the age of a family who is looking to adopt, being younger does not mean that you are immature. It should depend on the people, on the couple -not the age.

Trinidad González, 60, coffee seller, San Telmo

I do not totally agree with everything that the reform will address or the law in general. I am not for certain marriage unions, but that’s just me. When it comes to being a couple, when it comes to marriage or separating, it’s up to each person in the relationship, how they wish it to be. For me, an important thing is to help those that want to have children with the aid of medicine, to have children. Here, it is expensive, so I think that some help would be good. I have people close to me who are single and want to have children. It’s just not an option for them.

Marcia Lanzrutti, 52, newspaper seller, Lanús

I think the whole thing is great but the one thing I do not agree with is that there is no punishment for those who practice infidelity. I do not understand that, there should be consequences for that. When I am with someone, I am with someone. Everything else that I have read about the reforms, because it is a long list with a lot of big changes to look into, looks good. Choices are important. If you are with someone who treats you badly, you should be able to leave.

Esteban Molina, 37, painter, San Telmo

I am not totally informed about the reforms. I would need to be more informed about the changes to have a proper opinion. I think that changes do need to be made. For a long time, we have been using an outdated code and a more modern way of doing things is important for the evolution of ideas. I think a less conservative way of doing things is good. For example, when someone lives with someone but is not married, they should still have rights as a couple. This thought has been around for a long time, for centuries. We already know these things and it is not an uncommon thought. We would like something a little less structured. It’s a process and debating the new code is a good thing.

Justice Minister Julio Alak spoke out in defence of the new civil code yesterday and denied assertions that the new law would threaten gated communities. Frente Para La Victoria (FPV) deputy, Agustín Rossi implied yesterday that the new code could include an opening up of private estates in Argentina. However today both Alak and Rossi denied this, saying Rossi’s statements were indications of personal desires and not representative of the content of the new code.

“This is total nonsense,â€� said Alak today. “At no point in the reform bill for the Civil and Commercial codes de we state that we are seeking to eliminate architectural barriers between gated communities…we are doing the opposite.â€�

Yesterday, during Alak’s speech in the second debate around the reform of Argentina’s civil code, deputy Agustín Rossi seemed to raise the potential of opening up private estates. The head of the FPV group in the Chamber of Deputies said he wanted to see legal modifications which would ‘open’ gated communities in order to “return to a city which included all sectors of society� however speaking to press today, he said this was only a “personal desire.�

“There is no initiative underway to open up country clubs and tear down the walls� said Rossi this morning in an interview with Radio La Red .

He added “if, with the things I said yesterday, anyone living in a gated community was offended, I apologise, this was not my intention.�

There are several private estates and country clubs in Argentina which include houses, leisure centres and sometimes schools. Some live in these full-time while others use them as country homes or recreational spaces.

The regulation and laws around these is one of the things on the agenda in the current reform of the Civil and Commercial code in Argentina. However there is much confusion surrounding what the changes will mean.

Speaking to Radio 10 today, Alak claimed the new civil code would in fact result in more rights for gated communities, enshrining protections for the developments which had not previously existed.

Speaking to pres this morning he said “we are consolidating the rights of people who want to live in gated communities�.

Despite this, many feel that country clubs are bad for segregation and social friction in Argentina. Rossi is one of these and today said to Clarin,“many country clubs have disrupted the urban fabric of cities. The areas around these private estates are depressed and its common to see a country club and right next door, a shantytown.

“We need to build a more communitarian society where people can meet� he said

Yesterday’s debate in the Bicameral Commission was the second hearing for the Updating and Unification of the Civil and Commercial Codes. The first debate was held on the 15^th August. There will be a 90 day period from that date to analyse the new draft code and hand it to Congress for voting.