Marriage and Divorce – Both Costly Affairs

Every couple that ties the knot wishes for a happy and lifelong companionship. No one marries with the intention of separating or seeking a divorce. Yet, not all marriages last forever. For unexpected reasons, some couples are forced to part ways.

In earlier times, divorce was relatively rare in India compared to other countries. But in recent years, the trend has changed — divorces are rising even here. There is no single reason why couples separate. Sometimes the causes are serious, while at other times they may be small and even silly misunderstandings. In today’s times, divorce has become more common.

One major factor is that both men and women are educated, working, and financially independent. Ideally, this should strengthen marital life, but instead, clashes of ego often push couples toward separation. Legal experts note that divorce cases have surged dramatically in the country.

With rising financial needs, both spouses are often compelled to work. Added pressures at home and in the workplace create tension. After a long day at work, even minor issues can lead to conflicts, eventually resulting in divorce. Some men are accused of being harsh toward their wives, neglecting their needs, and failing to provide care. In other cases, couples living apart for various reasons also face marital breakdowns.

Another cause is the unequal burden of household chores. Even when both partners are employed, the responsibility of housework falls largely on the wife. When husbands fail to share the load, disputes worsen. Small fights, excessive suspicion, constant phone checks, yelling, or emotional outbursts gradually break down relationships.

Many men admit that they seek divorce because they cannot bear daily mental stress. They complain that wives give more importance to their parents, diverting the husband’s earnings to them, or disrespect and mistreat the husband’s family. Some women are accused of insulting or torturing their in-laws, which drives men toward divorce.

Recently, extramarital affairs among wives have also been reported more often. Shocking cases emerge where women, along with lovers or hired killers, have even murdered their husbands. Some have even killed their own children, claiming they were obstacles to these affairs. Such horrifying incidents are frequently seen in the media.

Another dimension is the high alimony demands. Many women, even those who are financially well-off with jobs and property, demand large settlements. Courts have begun to reject some of these unreasonable demands, but men still struggle. Some even take loans to pay alimony or settlement amounts. A survey by One Finance Advisory Company revealed that 42% of men had to take loans during divorce settlements.

The survey, conducted among 1,258 divorced individuals from Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, found that 49% of men and 19% of women said they spent up to Rs 5 lakh on divorce proceedings. About 29% of men admitted they were left drowning in debt after settlements.

Thus, today, both marriage itself has become an expensive affair — and divorce too has turned into a costly process.