Majority Of Divorce Cases Are On The Grounds Of Cruelty, Desertion

Earlier, the system was a family get ting into matrimonial agreement with another family, in the era of mostly arranged marriages and so they used to have commitment.

The recession has had its effect in all fields but not in matrimonial disputes.

In fact, the filing of divorce cases is on the increase now in the state.

In the days of the joint families, the elders acted as the family counselors patching up problems between the squabbling husband and wife. Compromising was part of marriage and couples roughed out their turbulent patches to finally end up telling the children and grandchildren in the evening of their lives that all is well that ends well and there are no regrets. But with that kind of cushioning not there anymore, working couples are picking quarrels more often over even trivial issues and move courts for divorce.

A majority of divorce cases are on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. Adultery and bigamy are other main grounds. Money is not the only criterion for seeking separation. Nowadays both husband and wife are working and hence the stress in office reflects in family life too. Late marriage, no time to think and adjust, no time to interact and superiority complex are the other factors leading to divorce.

In the '80s, there was only one court dealing with matrimonial disputes among other civil cases. Everyone, including court staff, was shocked when the number of divorce cases touched one hundred in one year in the early 80s.

But, now the figure has crossed thousand. The number of divorce cases filed in 2005 was 2,800. It increased to 4,358 in 2008 during the time of the IT boon. But, even after the economic recession, the figure has touched 3,431 up to September 2009. Since more than 350 cases are filed every month, the figure may likely cross 4,400 by the year-end.

"Earlier, the system was a family getting into matrimonial agreement with another family, in the era of mostly arranged marriages and so they used to have commitment. If the marriage is of your choice, then making or breaking it is also your choice. So the extended family role is minimised.
We should have pre-marital counseling by competent trained counselors. So that the couples would know what is what and how to minimise friction for congenial life", says Sudha Ramalingam, an activist and a leading lawyer.

"In olden days, the woman could not get out since she had no independent income.
She could not even find a single accommodation.
Hence she had to subject herself to all kinds of torture and suffer in silence. Now, she has a choice since she is independent. She's got income, she can get accommodation and she is able to make her decision about her life. That is why we see woman also moving family courts. Earlier, they moved courts only for restitution of conjugal rights while a majority of men sought divorce. Now, some women also seek divorce", she added.