GP DISCUSSIONS.

'This house believes that divorce is a social ill.' Do you agree?

I agree that divorce is a social illness. Young married couple, especially in developed countries, are breaking up under the strain of making a living in the fast-paced abd high-cost city. Divorce rates across the world have risen sharply in the recent years with greater exposure to Western values. Most countries are actually witnessing changing attitudes towards the once-taboo topic of divorce.

Women increasingly have no qualms about walking out on a marriage, and this trend is especially evident in Shanghai. More than sixty per cent of the city's divorce proceedings in 2004 were initiated by the wife. This is more than double the national average of thirty per cent.

Reasons for divorce:

Money problems and unrealistic expectations

Women turn to divorce when they think their husbands gave failed to meet their expectations. which are getting higher and higher. Money disputes often spark rifts. Women are now getting more independent both financially and mentally. If their spouses cannot meet their expectations, they can just file for a divorce.

Better education

Divorce cases often happen when one feels that one's partner is not earning as much money as one with the qualification one's partner is holding, divorce would be brought up. The reason for this act is that one might feel that one's partner is unable to catch up with one and therefore, breaking up their once sweet love.

Fewer children to hold marriage together

According to psychologists, staying in an uhappy marriage is psychologically damaging. Staying for the children's sake is ultimately not in their interest or anyone else's. Some people feel that they would be better off living than staying in a marriage for the sake of their children.

Values, Attitude, Behaviour change

One may change one's values, attitude and behavior after years or even months after they got into their marriage lives. One's spouses might not be able to accept the sudden change in the others, and after suffering under it, one decides to bring up the matter of divorce.

Dual-income Family

Less time for each other and children. People nowadays are so focused on making money and going after their wants that they feel that work is more important than their families. When they spend lesser time with their families and more time on work, divorce might be a solution for them to be freed from the only 'tied-down' reason they have.

- Angela

Labels: Divorce

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