Divorce: Process and Correlates A Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

This study examines the process of divorce; especially the pre-divorce stage, using data from a family court in the city of Visakhapatnam, India. It examines the process of divorce along with the correlates and other determinants. Basing on the information provided by court records, only women divorcees were interviewed. Some of the findings like shorter marriages resulted in divorce and majority of the divorcees were young, comply with the universally acknowledged research findings. However, absence of association between wife’s education and divorce are some of the crucial findings that do not corroborate the established theory. This cross-cultural study calls for evolving a socially approved ritual to mark the transition from marriage to divorce; in order to facilitate the separation in a cordial atmosphere. In view of the linguistic and socio-cultural diversity of the Indian society the study conducted in this part of the country (state of Andhra Pradesh) which is first of its kind, assumes significance. It is also expected to contribute substantially to the discussion on gender related issues.

Women Seeking Divorce in India: Multiaxial Analysis of a Traumatic Process

“…The lack of financial support and independence to sustain herself and her children and the inability to bear the costs of obtaining divorce, in this case, was one of the main factors that led Archana to continue in an abusive marriage for several years. Accordingly, the research findings as well as the lived experience of Archana, exhibit an association of high financial dependence on the husband with lower likelihood of the dependent wife initiating divorce (Rangarao & Sekhar, 2002).…”

“…Self-interest is frowned upon and self-restraint is celebrated and deemed indispensable for the fostering of love and unison between the families -"enjoy the heat of a log, and heed the advice of the elders" (McKendry-Smith, 2017). The Hindu scriptures such as Manu, Dharma Shastras and Puranas dictate that a woman has no claim to divorce (Rangarao & Sekhar, 2002). Even in the event of the husband leaving her deserted, she is expected to be a faithful wife because her mind is never permitted to be freed from the thoughts of her husband.…”

“…There is a direct positive linear correlation between a wife's economic resources and the likelihood of her initiating divorce. Further, a study conducted on the divorce cases in the family court at Visakhapatnam revealed that the foremost reason for women not seeking divorce is financial dependence (Rangarao & Sekhar, 2002). Thus, women are faced with the fate of choosing either to stay in a prolonged unhappy and abusive marriage or risk being left destitute.…”

Gaps in education and marital dissolution: Evidence from India

“…Educated women are thrice more likely to walk away than uneducated women in the United States (Guvenen & Rendall, 2015). Previous studies have also found a positive correlation between higher education among women and divorces in India (Ramachandrappa et al, 2016;Rangarao & Sekhar, 2002). Vasudevan et al (2015) observed that divorce rates were higher among those with a college education.…”

Social bearing of laws and their implementation with reference to irretrievable breakdown of marriage: A comparative study of laws in India and Asian countries

“…Researcher and year Observation and findings Rangarao and Sekhar (2002) The research indicated that the likelihood of divorce rises with early marriage. Baxter and Braithwaite (2006) Divorces may be granted due to grave fault (such as adultery, violence, or mental illness), or they may also be issued with the permission of the spouses.…”