Page 45 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Marital dissolution in India

marriages compared to their less-educated counterparts. meeting households’ financial requirements prevents
Significantly, the instability in marriages among women marital breakdowns. Findings from the analysis established
with limited or no education has shown a worrisome an interesting pattern of marital dissolution across
upward trajectory over the past two decades (1987 – 2008), different regions of India. For instance, the proportion of
contributing to a widening educational gap in marital married women who separated from their partners was
stability. Individuals with higher levels of education highest in Southern and North-east India and lowest in the
are far more likely to have marriages, whereas women northern region. This is similar to previous North-South
tend to have more of a voice (Andrist et al., 2013). This distinctions made in the demography literature, most
empirical evidence suggests that the choice of a marital notably those of Dyson & Moore (1983), who claimed
partner significantly influences marital stability, echoing that female autonomy is generally higher in the southern
the principles of interdependence theory. The resilience region. Among the northern states with a relatively low
of marriages among highly educated women underscores level of marital dissolution are Jammu and Kashmir,
the potential benefits of more balanced gender dynamics, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Among the southern
increased autonomy in mate selection, and enhanced states and UTs with relatively higher rates of dissolution are
negotiating power in forging stronger and more enduring Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. In north-
marital bonds. The findings revealed that education has a east states, tribal customary laws allow for informal unions
significant impact on marital dissolution, which is more where cohabiting couples are deemed married (Xaxa,
prominent in the northern and western parts of the country. 2004). The findings revealed that marriage dissolution
Women with a higher education level than their spouses rates in the north-east region were relatively higher than
have a higher risk of marital dissolution. Ego is one of the elsewhere in India, among which Mizoram and Meghalaya
major causes of marital misunderstandings and breakups stood out. Women who leave their relationships may
due to the educational gap among spouses, specifically experience stigmatization and social exclusion and are
when women possess higher education qualifications. referred to by a variety of derogatory labels (Belliappa,
There is some evidence in support of the argument that 2013), given how long matters typically take to be heard
couples marrying at young ages tend to have poor marital and resolved in Indian courts (Kumar, 2012), which is
role performance (Booth & Edwards, 1985). considered a possible reason behind the lower divorce rate
The findings of this study also revealed that women among northern states.
who started cohabitation below 18 years of age are Economic independence empowers women by enabling
more likely to have marital dissolution than those who them to bear their own expenses and participate more
married at ages 22 – 29 and 30 – 34. The Hindu Marriage actively in decision-making and other aspects as well,
Act, in Section 13 – 2, allows for divorce in cases where which tends to increase the risk of separation and divorce.
the marriage occurred before the age of 15, permitting According to a study, childlessness is seen as deviating from
individuals to file for divorce before reaching the age of 18. normative expectations and might sever the relationship
According to Booth & Edwards (1985), young people may between spouses in an arranged marriage in which the
not fully understand the implications of getting married. couple does not have strong bonds at the time of marriage
Furthermore, those who marry young often do so without (Riessman, 2000). The results highlighted the value of
the support or approval of their families, making it more having children, particularly sons, for maintaining a stable
likely for the marriage to face challenges and be less stable. marriage. As per this study, women without any sons and
Consistent with our study findings, some research has also those who declare themselves infecund are much more
identified a higher likelihood of divorce among Christian likely to experience marital breakdown than others. In
women, followed by Muslim women, compared to Hindu particular, women with three or more surviving sons tend
women (Dommaraju, 2016). A possible explanation for to have stable unions. According to Singh (2013), about
this result could be the considerable authority granted to 80% of Indian women who sought divorce did so because of
men under Muslim personal laws, notably through the “cruelty or domestic violence in their marital homes.” Based
practice of “Triple Talaq,” coupled with limited political on these results, women who have experienced spousal
will to address the specific needs of this community.
Consequently, there may be distinct factors contributing abuse of any form, including physical, emotional, and
to the elevated divorce rates among Christian women in sexual abuse, are considerably more likely to file for divorce.
India, warranting further in-depth investigation. Our This study underscores the significance of addressing the
analysis further established that women in rich households specific needs of women who are pre-disposed to marital
in all the regions are likely to have more stable marriages instability in light of the detrimental socioeconomic,
than those in poor households. This finding implies that psychological, and health effects of marital dissolution.

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 39 https://doi:10.36922/ijps.1681