As attitudes and behaviour have shifted over 75 years, the meaning of marriage has been redefined.
Through these shifting beliefs, divorce has also become normalized and the stigma surrounding divorce has largely disappeared. Over the years, the concept of marriage as a lifelong commitment has changed and has gradually evolved to emphasize fulfilment and satisfaction for each individual.
We have put together a few reasons we commonly see for divorce:
Number one:
Inconsolable differences. This is a legal term that people often cite as a catch-all for things like parenting styles, different goals, and different attitudes and values. Essentially this is where we’re coming down to compatibility in partners, and they are no longer on the same wavelength anymore.
Number two:
The usage of money. Divorcing couples often cite money as one of the primary reasons for a divorce. This is because one partner’s view of money and the other partner’s view don’t match up. Usually, they fight over who’s spending the money, how is the money spent etc.
Number Three:
Infidelity. Where there is an affair, the wound is quite clear, both parties cannot live with that and it depends on whether you can trust the person again.
Although most people know what infidelity or cheating is, in more formal terms, an infidelity is an act that goes against the fundamental trust that lies at the core of any relationship, and it is an act that violates the mutually agreed rules and boundaries that a couple has in their relationship.
An adulterous act is an extramarital sex performed maliciously and wilfully to undermine the marriage relationship, resulting in its irretrievable breakdown.
Number Four:
Unfortunately, in South Africa, the next reason is abuse and this extends more than physical abuse but it’s also shaming and emotional abuse. Causing anxiety to your partner the way that you treat them maybe you belittle them etc. Women and children are usually the most abused; men are also abused, especially verbally and emotionally, but often physically as well.
Age groups, ethnicities, and class levels are all affected by domestic violence.
Number Five.
The lack of communication in the marriage. There can never be an adequate relationship without proper communication. Marriage communication is not the same thing as agreeing on everything. Communication problems often lead to divorce and breakdown among couples because they can’t compromise and find a middle ground.
It is common for partners to lack communication when it comes to making financial decisions. Financial problems result from poor communication, as do endless arguments. Many couples also have trouble communicating when it comes time to make important decisions about their children.
Couples who fail to communicate in all areas of their marriage suffer major damage to their relationship.
