Divorce in the UAE has increased during the last 2 decades - Essay Example

Why divorce in the UAE has increased during the last 2 decades Introduction Divorce is regarded as one of the serious social problems in any given society. According to government statistics, United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced a divorce rate of 24 percent in the year 2003 (Sherif 2). There are numerous psychological and economic factors that have led to high divorce rates in UAE. Lack of communication in marriage, early marriages, changing marriage expectations, addiction, child-bearing issues, and financial issues, cultural background of the spouses, the differential in education levels, infidelity and arranged marriages are some of the causes of high divorce rates in UAE (Sherif 8).

Divorce leads to severe negative consequences to children and involved parents. Some of the negative impacts of divorce include delinquent behaviour of the parents, psychological trauma, aggression, and nightmares (Hasso, 2011). Thesis statement: poor communication in marriages is the leading cause of the high divorce rates in United Arab Emirates. Causes of high divorce rates in UAE Communication problems in marriages are the leading cause of divorce. . Marital financial issues such as disagreements on the best investment opportunities and sexual incompatibility also contribute towards dissatisfaction with the marriage thus forcing the partners to divorce (Hasso, 2011).

According to a research study done by Marriage Fund in collaboration with University of Sharjah in 2011, absence of communication within the marriage and lack of proper relations were the leading causes of divorce (Sherif 3). Differences in an opinion between the partners often resulted in constant bickering thus hindering love within the marriage. Accordingly, Islamic traditional marriage practices such as arranged marriages made women discover certain personality traits of their husbands later after marriage thus leading to intolerance and ultimately divorce (Sherif 5).

The same study indicated that polygamy, physical abuse of wives, inadequate financial support and unshared responsibilities were secondary causes of divorce in UAE (Sherif 7). According to educationists and family affairs experts, the annual rates of divorce were estimated at 30 percent compared with a rate of 21 percent in Dubai in 2011 (Al Sadafy 3). Statistics fro the Dubai courts pointed out that one divorce occurred for every four marriage court cases with more than Dh 800 million being paid annually as divorce settlements.

Accordingly, the Advisor for family affairs noted that 90 percent of the instances of divorce were occasioned by trial reasons with lack of communication among the partners being the leading cause of divorce (Al Sadafy 5). How divorce affects children, parents and society Divorce is associated with negative social and physical effects on children, parents and the society (Hasso, 2011). Divorce denies the children the opportunity