A Law for the Improvement of the Werewolf Species

Purpose

The purpose of the law is to ensure the continued growth of the werewolf population after centuries of violence and the ravages of the werewolf parvovirus.

Document Structure

Clauses

1. The first clause states that werewolves must take care when not around their packs. It also requires that any werewolf leaving the pack is cut off, but that, should that werewolf wish to return, they must be welcomed back.

2. This clause originally required that all werewolves be in heterosexual marriages and produce children. This clause has been modified several times, first to allow divorce, then to allow for same-sex marriage, more options for those who may not want a heteronormative family, and to add specific guidance for transgender werewolves. The most recent edit allows those who wish to opt out of the program to do so, showing a drastic change from the original content of the clause.

Publication Status

Copies were sent to all werewolf packs after the initial law was passed, as well as when each modification was made.

Historical Details

History

In 1879, elder werewolves from many clans throughout the world came together to discuss the declining global population. What resulted from the conference was this law requiring all werewolves to have children.

Public Reaction

This law has never been especially loved by anyone, but all werewolves already tend to put the needs of their pack at the forefront of their minds and it is understood that all werewolves must do their part to ensure the continuation of the species in the face of anti-werewolf violence and waves of Werewolf Parvovirus. Over time, werewolves were able to push for some changes to the law, as is evidenced by the edits. Most of these changes were made with the greater good of the community in mind. For example, the mental health of those forced to live a heteronormative life that does not fit them was made a priority because suicide only helped the population decline.

Legacy

This document continues to guide global werewolf society to this day.

Read the Document

A Law for the Improvement of the Werewolf Species

We, the Council of Elders, having met in a special session to address our concerns about the decline of our species, have drawn up the following Articles to ensure the continuation of the species for all time to come.

1. Living Arrangements and Pack Membership

As popular misunderstandings, especially fueled by baseless religions, have led to the murder of many werewolves over the centuries, we encourage all werewolves to keep close to their packs. All werewolves are expected to move with caution among humans and use their best judgment when disclosing their true nature. The safety of the pack must always be a top priority. If a werewolf chooses to end all contact and association with his pack, he will lose all protection and assistance associated with pack membership. If he wishes to return, pack members must welcome him back regardless of his reasons. If reasons are later shown to be nefarious, he will be subject to all established werewolf laws dealing with such matters. If the pack refuses, the individual may seek membership in a new pack.

2. Population Growth

Whereas the werewolf population has been in decline globally, it is necessary to require assistance from all werewolves to improve this condition. All werewolves females between the ages of 20 and 50 must be married to a werewolf male of a similar age and must reproduce at least once, though twice or more is preferred. Couples unable to reproduce, and with medical documentation stating so, may apply to have a surrogate mother birth the husband's children, if he is able, or birth another willing father's children for the couple.

Divorce is only permitted in the case of those unable to have children.

A system is to be put into place to match male and female werewolves for marriage purposes from all areas of the world in order to improve genetic diversity.

Edit, 1914: Divorce is now permitted whenever requested by either partner. Children are to remain with the mother and her pack except in extenuating circumstances and when approved by a judge.

Edit, 1970: We do hereby acknowledge that werewolf society has and has always had those among it who would today call themselves homosexual. In order to preserve their lives and membership in werewolf packs, the marriage requirements have been modified. Werewolf law recognizes same-sex unions, but the requirement for children is still in place. An improved surrogacy program will be put into practice.

Edit, 1991: All werewolves must now choose, before the age of 30, how they wish to contribute to the continued population growth due to the widespread impact of the werewolf parvovirus.
-Those seeking a heterosexual marriage may use the matchmaking service designed for this purpose, including those looking for a partner later in life.
-Those who don't wish for a heterosexual werewolf marriage may opt out by donating, at least once, their sperm or eggs to be used in the surrogacy program. More information is available at any werewolf health clinic or by contacting a pack doctor.
-Those who wish to serve as surrogates, either for another's embryo they wish to raise as their own or on behalf of a couple who cannot birth their own children, may get in touch with the program via the above mentioned methods.
-Full moon matings are also permitted for any in the donor program who wish to know their offspring. This guided program includes a matchmaking service to ensure genetic diversity while also choosing partners geographically close enough to allow for routine contact.
-All those who donate in any above mentioned way will be given a card proving their status.

Edit, 2007: We acknowledge and accept that the global werewolf community has always had members who consider themselves transgender. In order to preserve their health and membership in their packs, we accept and support them. However, the ravages of werewolf parvovirus still require all werewolves to contribute to the population size. Due to this, all werewolves wishing to medically transition and who do not wish to have biological children must first donate their sperm or eggs to the surrogacy program. As this cannot be done until the werewolf is 18 in most places, we realize this is not ideal for the individual. We look forward to when the population has recovered enough not to require this any longer.
-Any transgender werewolf who wishes to locate to a region potentially friendlier to them may apply with the Council for assistance in locating a new pack.

Edit, 2015: We acknowledge that some werewolves may have no desire to contribute to the population and find that the available methods of donation do not suite them. In the interest of preserving mental health for all werewolves, it is now possible to opt out of the program. All werewolves should be encouraged but not required to reproduce at this time. Those who wish to opt out will be permitted to submit a short written explanation, and will be required to re-affirm this desire on an annual basis until they reach the age of 35. There is to be no judgement or pressure from clinic staff when taking this statement.

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Type

Text, Legislative

Authoring Date

October 12, 1879