Page 46 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Marital dissolution in India

4.1. Strength and limitation Author contributions

In general, data on divorce and separation in the Indian Conceptualization: Harihar Sahoo, Manas Ranjan Pradhan,
context are scarce. However, our study stands out for several Manoj Alagarajan
strengths, notably a large sample size and comprehensive Formal analysis: Harihar Sahoo, Madhurima Sharma,
data on women’s marital status, age at marriage, women’s Sunandita Das
education, and first pregnancy. Nevertheless, there are Investigation: Harihar Sahoo
some limitations to this study. As the age at which marriage Methodology: Harihar Sahoo
dissolution occurs is unavailable in the NFHS data, more Writing – original draft: Harihar Sahoo, Madhurima
advanced techniques, such as event history analysis, could Sharma
not be used. Small sample sizes in certain UTs (i.e., Ladakh Writing – review & editing: all authors
and Lakshadweep) require cautious interpretation of
findings. Furthermore, some variables were only available Ethics approval and consent to participate
in the state module; we could not include them in the all- This study is based on secondary data available in the
over analysis, which may differ from the results and may public domain. The survey report states that the necessary
affect the accuracy of the findings of the study. As a result, ethical procedure was followed for the survey, and only
it is essential to approach the interpretation of our research those respondents who gave oral or written consent were
outcomes with caution. interviewed.
5. Conclusion Consent for publication

In this study, we quantified the prevalence and variability Not applicable.
of divorce and separation in India. Research indicates a
rising trend in divorce- and separation-related marital Availability of data
disintegration. While the overall divorce rate among The utilized data are secondary and freely available
ever-married women of reproductive age remains low, to everyone on request at the DHS website (https://
significant disparities by area and religion were observed. dhsprogram.com/Countries/Country-Main.cfm?ctry_
In India, education emerges as a factor promoting marital id=57&c=India).
tenacity. Our study contributes empirical data on the shifts
in family structure in the Indian subcontinent. Risk factors References
such as infertility, poverty, child marriage, the educational
gap among spouses, urbanization, and spousal violence are Adedini, S.A., Somefun, O.D., Odimegwu, C.O., & Ntoimo, L.F.C.
(2020). Union dissolution-divorce, separation, and
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across India. Marital dissolution can have profound Development Agenda in Africa. Cham: Springer, p.127-145.
financial, psychological, and health effects. Therefore, this https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14887-4-7
paper aims to raise awareness about the factors contributing
to marital dissolution, empowering individuals to address Agnes, F. (2011). Family Law: Volume 2: Marriage, Divorce, and
them proactively in the early stages of their marital life. Matrimonial Litigation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Amato, P.R. (1994). The impact of divorce on men and women in
Acknowledgments India and the United States. Journal of Comparative Family
The authors thank Prof. D.A. Nagdeve and Prof. Chander Studies, 25(2):207-221.
Shekher for their guidance for the improvement of the https://doi.org/10.3138/jcfs.25.2.207
paper. Andrist, L., Banerji, M., & Desai, S. (2013). Negotiating marriage:

Funding Examining the gap between marriage and cohabitation
in India. In: Marrying in South Asia: Shifting Concepts,
The authors thank the Ministry of Health and Family Changing Practices in a Globalising World. Hyderabad:
Welfare, the Government of India, and the IIPS for Orient Blackswan Pvt Limited, p.116-40.
providing a research grant for undertaking this study. Belliappa, J (2013). Gender, Class and Reflexive Modernity in
India. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Conflict of interest
Booth, A., & Edwards, J. N. (1985). Age at marriage and marital
The authors declare that they have no competing interests. instability. Journal of Marriage and Family, 47, 67-75.

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 40 https://doi:10.36922/ijps.1681