In a country that believes marriages are the most sacred of bonds and are made in heaven, the divorce rate is skyrocketing. India still has a lower divorce rate than other countries, but according to its own statistics, divorces, whether mutual consent or contested, have increased.
Divorce advocate in Delhi has compiled a list of six major reasons why the divorce rate in India is increasing:
Indian Women Are More Self-Sufficient.
Though the equal opportunity is a long way off, women in India are getting better and more quality education, as well as the freedom to work and earn for themselves. This has increased women’s independence while decreasing men’s control over their lives. Women who are unhappy in their marriage should not hesitate to leave and file for divorce.
Women in India are more financially, mentally, socially, and physically independent, and do not have to stay in a marriage for financial reasons. Women are more educated today, and they understand their rights when claiming a mutual consent divorce or filing a contested divorce against their spouse.
Communication Gap
The world is getting closer, but people are getting further apart. The same is true for people who are linked by a marital bond. Communication is essential in any relationship, and when it is lacking in a marriage, people find it easier to end their relationship and file a mutual consent divorce or uncontested divorce.
Lack of communication destroys a marriage and leads to a lack of understanding and intolerance for one another.
Forcible Marriage
The freedom to choose one’s life partner is still lacking in many parts of India, and matches are usually made by parents or family heads rather than by the people who are actually getting married. Conflicts arise when a man or woman is forced to marry someone, or when the person is unprepared to face marital responsibilities.
People who are stuck in a marriage have no choice but to file for divorce in India. In most cases, forced marriages end in a contested divorce when one spouse wants out of the marriage and files for a one-sided divorce against their spouse.
Problems In A Joint Family
The Indian society maintains a joint family system in which different branches of a family coexist under one roof. Lack of adjustment or acceptance by either the bride or her family can lead to serious disagreements and force the person to file for divorce.
The conflict between the wife and her mother-in-law is not a fairy tale, and it frequently causes discord between the wife and husband. In India, courts have even ruled that separating a husband from his parent can be construed as mental cruelty and a valid ground for a contested divorce. More information about separating the husband from his parents as a ground for divorce can be found here.
Extramarital Affair Or Adultery
Because of today’s fast-paced lifestyle and lack of communication, a spouse may be forced to seek a connection elsewhere. As a result, the individual engages in an extramarital affair. Although adultery is no longer a crime in India, it is still a valid ground for divorce.
When either spouse is involved in an extramarital physical relationship, the other spouse has the right to file a contested divorce. More information about adultery as a ground for divorce can be found here.
