Netizens debate about low divorce rates in India

A 2022 study reportedly says that the divorce rate in India is just 1%, while it is as high as 55% in France and 46% in the US. Even countries like Turkey, Iran, and Brazil have got divorce rates above 20%. Many attribute the low divorce rate in India to the value-based family system that emphasizes the importance of family ties and marital union.

However, critics argue that the data hides real issues. The low divorce rate is because women don’t get divorced fearing financial ruin and also because they fear societal stigma, says a Netizen. Most Netizens are of the view that domestic violence and the incidence of marital rape are very high in India. “If given the freedom, women would just walk out of such inconvenient marriages,” a Facebook user opines.

Vishal Bhargava analzyes that the so-called high values of the family system often deprive women of economic freedom. “And thereby force women to live in an imbalanced relationship,” he writes. “We are leading in domestic violence, dowry deaths, child marriages, gender discrimination etc. Not recognized marital rape. The divorce rate is low because of poor women empowerment. Not because of any positive features of the Indian family system,” alleges Krushika AV.

“Why do people behave like divorces are a bad thing? Divorce means something bad has run its course and is now over. From personal observation, India needs to have more divorces. A lot more,” says a Twitter user named Aalsi.