Marriages done with mutual understanding and pomp are dying untimely. About 40 to 50 percent of the cases are reaching the court within the first one to three years of marriage.
Anil Trigunayat, Lucknow
Under the guise of modernity and materialistic thinking, traditions and culture have started to find themselves sidelined. Economic, social and ideological freedom have started affecting the basic value structure of the society. The thinking of the youth gives a new direction to the society, but due to deviation in thoughts, the condition of the society is worsening. Increasing sources of income, marketization, capriciousness and narrow thinking have engulfed the society. Vocational education, growing service sector, artificiality, liberalization and technological revolution have captured the youth today.
In their desire to earn money they have forgotten the values of life. As a result, many types of social diseases have made them sick. Disintegration in marital life is the result of that. In this context, professional education, increasing income and internet media seem to be becoming a curse instead of a boon. The increasing divorce rate in the country is like a stigma for the society. Some people may consider this a positive sign, a step towards personal freedom and equality, but relationships are weakening, young couples are not able to bear the pressure, they are easily giving up and getting separated. What do the rising divorce rates in the country really indicate? Are these signs of progress or should we really be worried?
In our country, marriage was considered a lifelong duty, often decided by the family with more focus on social and economic stability and not on emotional compatibility. It is expected from the new bride and groom to live with each other in every situation while maintaining their culture and tradition, but is this happening now? Why are marriages done with mutual understanding and pomp dying untimely today? About 40 to 50 percent of the cases are reaching the court within the first one to three years of marriage.
According to a data from the Ministry of Social Empowerment, about 300 divorce cases are registered every day in India. About 18 percent of divorces are taking place in the first year of marriage. There has been about 50 percent increase in divorce cases in the last two decades. Statistics show that now in about 58 percent of the cases, women themselves initiate divorce. On average, women aged 31 and men aged 36 are most likely to divorce. Cruelty is the main reason for divorce in about 23 percent cases and domestic violence in 14 percent cases. Most relationships break up in the first three years of marriage. More divorce petitions are being seen in the age group of 25 to 34 years.
Marriage is a social bond woven in partnership, love and mutual respect. After all, what is the reason that this sacred bond is falling apart within a few days? Only one factor cannot be responsible for this. Joint family is considered to be an excellent example of sacrifice, patience, harmony, unity and mutual understanding. There is no room for violation of traditions and decorum in this. Social pressure also plays a role in preventing wrongdoing. This was the reason why earlier marriages used to last forever.
The concept and strong structure of the nuclear family has played an important role in the untimely disintegration of modern marriages. Most of today’s new couples have no tolerance left, nor any pressure or fear from the society. As women are becoming financially independent, they no longer feel forced to stay in unhappy and marriages due to economic dependence. Previously, men were considered primarily the breadwinners, while women were expected to handle household responsibilities. Now, both partners are contributing financially, which has increased the expectation of sharing household responsibilities.
Adjusting to these new roles is one of the major factors contributing to the increasing number of divorces. Divorce in India is no longer just a symbol of separation but a symbol of the so-called changing society. Where people are giving priority to happiness, equality and personal development instead of old social norms. The word divorce, which was once considered an abuse in Indian society, has now become considered fashionable. The increase in divorce rate among new couples in our society reflects the conflict between modernity and traditional values.
The increasing trend of divorce has put the cities in a bind. Especially among the youth of 20-35 years, there is a race to get divorced. Young people now seem to be rejecting social pressure or the traditional approach of just ‘getting married’. They have started giving more importance to personal happiness, mental health and quality of life. One of the biggest reasons for separation among couples aged between 25 to 50 years is mistrust and lack of mutual harmony. Due to the responsibilities that come with husband-wife relationship, people are not able to give time to each other, which later causes distance.
The rising divorce rates in India are indicative of a changing society, where people are giving priority to happiness, equality and personal well-being over age-old traditions. Most of today’s young couples are considering divorce as challenging and also a sign of increasing autonomy and changing expectations related to relationships, but one thing is certainly true that increasing divorce rates are not at all beneficial for our traditional society.
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