The concept of marriage and divorce in India is undergoing a shift. While marriage remains culturally sacred, divorce is increasingly viewed with acceptance, especially in urban areas. This transformation has implications for family structures, gender roles, and societal perceptions.

Evolving Perspectives on Marriage and Divorce

• The Role of Family in Society: The relationship between individuals, families, and society is foundational. 
  • A strong family system creates a stable society, which in turn strengthens the nation. 
  • Weakness in any of these elements can undermine national progress.
• Historical Views on Marriage and Divorce: In India, divorce was once stigmatised, especially for women, who often endured unhappy marriages to avoid social shame. 
  • Society blamed women or their families for marital breakdowns, pressuring them to prioritise family reputation over personal happiness.
• Shifting Attitudes Towards Divorce: However, attitudes are changing. Women are increasingly rejecting unhappy or abusive marriages, with divorce becoming a more accepted option. 
  • This shift reflects broader societal changes toward prioritising personal well-being and individual choice over traditional norms.
• A Case from India: A notable example of changing attitudes is seen in Ranchi, where a father brought his distraught daughter back home from her in-law’s house, celebrating her return with a ‘band-baaja-baraat’. 
  • This act aimed to send a strong message to society that daughters are not a burden and can make their own choices.
• Global Shifts: In North-Western Africa, divorced women are increasingly welcomed by their families with celebrations, a practice now being adopted in many countries across North Africa and the Middle East.

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Reasons for Divorces in India

• Unequal Distribution of Family Responsibilities: Despite technological progress and women gaining financial independence, traditional social roles within the family remain largely unchanged.
  • Family responsibilities continue to be unequally shared, which often leads to exhaustion and frustration for women, particularly when they feel overburdened by domestic duties alongside their professional obligations.
• Desire for Personal Fulfilment in Older Age: In later years, many individuals—particularly those in long-term marriages—seek to pursue personal interests and passions that were previously stifled. 
  • This desire for a more fulfilling life, not shared or supported by their spouses, can lead to marital strain.
  • Additionally, attitudes toward remarriage in older adults, especially from children, have become more accepting, which can contribute to divorces among elderly couples.
• Childlessness or Lack of Sons: Marital discord can arise in cases where couples do not have children or male heirs, due to societal pressures and the perceived need for progeny, which may lead to dissatisfaction in marriage and a higher likelihood of separation.
• Educational Disparities: Marriages where the wife has a higher level of education than the husband may face challenges in communication, equality, and shared life goals, often contributing to marital dissatisfaction and, ultimately, divorce.
• Economic Disparities: Marriages among wealthier couples tend to be more stable, even if the relationship is not emotionally fulfilling. 
  • The availability of resources and amenities often allows both partners to maintain separate lives within the same marriage. 
  • In contrast, remarriage carries less stigma in poorer societies, where practical concerns such as childcare or escaping abusive marriages can lead individuals to seek new relationships.    

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Way Ahead

• Promoting Harmonious Family Relationships: A stable society begins with harmonious family relationships rooted in love, commitment, and mutual respect. 
  • When families work as a team, they nurture children’s growth, preparing them for a successful future and fostering societal values.
• Addressing Family Instability: Family instability—marked by violence and unhealthy dynamics—can harm children’s development, leading to broader societal issues like crime and unrest. 
  • Strong, supportive families are essential for national progress and social cohesion.
• Learning from Global Practices: The developed world recognizes the importance of strong family structures for societal sustainability. 
  • Politicians often showcase stable family lives as a trust-building tool, signalling effective leadership. 
  • In India, however, the separation of personal and professional life limits the focus on family stability’s role in leadership and societal progress.
• Strengthening Family Structures in India: India should prioritise strengthening two-parent families while safeguarding women’s rights and independence. 
  • Efforts to preserve family units must respect women’s dignity and ensure their freedom from patriarchal control.

Conclusion

India’s evolving view on divorce highlights a shift toward greater acceptance, especially in urban areas. However, while divorce rates are rising, the importance of strong, respectful family structures cannot be overstated. India must balance societal change with the protection of women’s rights to ensure a sustainable family system that benefits all.

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