Rising trend of divorce in Bangladesh

The decision to get a divorce is never an easy one to make. One divorce, however, takes place every forty minutes in Dhaka, according to a recent report published by a Bangla daily. The days of Bangladeshi marriages lasting for lifetime are now a thing of the past. A new survey report published last week also found that the divorce rate in Bangladesh had doubled in one year. The rate of divorce rose to 1.4 every 1,000 people in 2022, compared to 0.7 every 1,000 in 2021, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. In its report on the Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics 2022, the national statistics agency said the divorce rate was higher in rural areas, which saw an increase of 0.6 per 1,000 compared to 0.5 per 1,000 in urban areas. And worryingly, divorce applications are filed more by females than their male counterparts.

Nowadays more women are seeking a way out of their marriage for a number of reasons. And to many it is an indicator of their empowerment. Today, most women are less willing to remain in an unhappy marriage. Earlier they used to continue a relationship even if it was an abusive one. But now women are employed and can take care of themselves. They are no longer willing to accept gender-based violence at home, which is one of the major causes contributing to the rise of divorce rates. A significant number of women these days work alongside men. But some men still tend to expect that their wives will serve them like the traditional wife. This creates a rift between the couple and it can lead to a separation. Other causes that have impact on the rise of marriage break-ups include poverty, unemployment, lack of tolerance, adjustment problem, extramarital affairs and infertility, among others.

No matter what the causes are there for a divorce, it has many implications for people other than the couple involved. The greatest casualty of a broken family is its children. A study published by sociologist Lisa Strohschein shows that the children whose parents divorce exhibit higher levels of anxiety, depression and antisocial behaviour than their peers whose parents remain married. Parental divorce is associated with significant risks for children and adolescents, including addiction, mental health problems and poor educational outcomes. The children of broken families miss the love and care of one parent of which there is no replacement in the whole world. So, if this upward trend of divorce rate in Bangladesh is left unaddressed, it will result in eroding family fabric further, leaving children to suffer most.

While it is divorce for a couple, it is parental separation for a child. A divorce can emotionally destroy a child and parents should be aware of that. If it has to happen, make sure it happens in a way where it affects your child as little as possible.

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