Rising Divorce rates in India: Is Women Empowerment a Cause of Divorce? ​

Increasing Divorce Rates in India 

Divorce is an unpleasant journey that requires so much courage and thinking. The final decision to divorce is a hassle, from financial struggles to parenting to unwanted judgments. According to reports, In the past two decades, the divorce rates in India have doubled. Some argued reasons for increasing divorce rates are abuse or trauma in marital relationships, women empowerment, joint family, adultery and infidelity, sexual problems, or broken communications.    

Divorce rates in India are ranked lowest when compared to other countries. According to statistics, only 1 out of 100 marriages end up divorced in India. Although India enjoys lower divorce rates, easy access to divorce and rapid urbanization are instigating divorce rates now. Based on the current rise in divorce rates, India is expected to have higher divorce rates in the coming years. However, due to a lack of availability and education, divorce rates in rural areas are comparatively lower in India.   

Is Women Empowerment in India a Major Cause? 

Divorce rates are increasing dramatically in India. Do you think women empowerment in India is a reason for this? Over the last few years status of women has undergone a phenomenal transformation. According to studies, 69% of divorces are initiated by women, indicating that women today are open to walking out of an unhealthy relationship rather than surviving an abusive one. But the collective agreement is that the rising of divorces is the base of eroding family values and children due to the adoption of western culture. However, rising divorce rates are good, especially among women, because it indicates that women today are independent and have the financial and mental stability to face the challenge. Earlier in India, women often lacked mental and financial support, which shows that women were financially dependent. However, today women are much more evolved, and most of the women in urban areas are economically independent and have support from their respective families.     

In earlier times, women used to suffer in their lives through unhealthy relationships. They often suffered in those relationships because of the fear of society, lack of financial support from the family, and legal barriers. Today women have become independent and self-sufficient. With higher education and rapid modernization, women have also become financially independent. Financial independence gave women the power to walk out of toxic relationships, which became a primary reason for divorce, and thus women empowerment in India is a major reason for the rising divorce rates, which is certainly a good thing.