CAUSES OF DIVORCE : A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY FROM CENTRAL KERALA

Abstract

Divorce cases are increasing at an alarming rate in Kerala. Various reasons like Physical, psychological, &sexual abuse, addictions, adjustment problems can lead to divorce. OBJECTIVES: To find out the causes of divorce among the couples attending the family court, Kottayam, Kerala METHODS: A Descriptive study was conducted among 60 couples who have filed for divorce & were attending the counseling section in the Ettumanoor family court of Kottayam district, Kerala. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire & analysis was done using SPSS 16.0 version. RESULTS: Mean age of males & females was [36.18+/-5.3years Vs 28.6+/-5.3 years]. Mean duration of marriage was found to be [2.44+/-1.8 years]. 79.1% were living in extended families. Majority belonged to middle & upper socioeconomic status. 11.6% of couples had love marriages. In 68.2% of cases wife initiated the divorce process. Issues of Adjustment of spouse with him (22.5%) and his parents (45.2%) were the reasons quoted by males while for females it was issues related with Alcoholism among husbands (48%) & Physical abuse (63.3%). Other major reasons quoted by both males & females was desertion and Neglect by spouse (21% Vs73.3%), Psychiatric disorders of spouse (20% vs10%), suspicious behavior of spouse (15% vs33%) & adultery (28.3% Vs 28.3%). CONCLUSION: Present study revealed that adjustment problems within the extended family, alcoholism & resulting physical abuse were the leading cause of divorce among the couples in Kerala. More Females were found to be initiating proceedings for divorce than males.