Challenges Facing Divorced Mothers in UAE - Coursework Example

Challenges Facing Divorced Mothers in UAE Challenges Facing Divorced Mothers in UAE Introduction In United Arab Emirates (UAE), divorce is described as the cancellation of the contract of marriage between the involved couple. Divorce has been branded as one of the most serious social problems in the UAE and can be commenced by either the wife or the husband. It has been very common and it affects all the levels of society. On the basis of the current evidence available, most of the permanent separations happen in the first few years of marriage. Most divorced couples go through tough adjustments immediately after the official break up. Going by the findings released by the Dubai statistics centre, divorce issues have increased by 40% for couples living separately in foreign lands, 7%for couples living within Emirates and 25% to Emiratis who are married to foreigners. Such alarming rates of divorce prompted the need for research into related issues into it. Notably, there is overwhelming evidence that the UAE Supreme Court may be playing a bigger role in these separations, in that, a woman can divorce a man even without his consent. Therefore, the principle thesis for this essay is to establish the challenge that divorced mothers in the UAE face as well as an analysis into the effects of divorce to children, fathers and the society at large. Background Information Cultural and traditional habits are other major factors that have greatly elevated the divorce cases in the UAE. Dr. Hassan Ismael discovered that most couples go into marriage just to fulfill their families’ desires, and therefore, their expectations are not met. Notably, research in the Middle East has come up with a proposition that the male sexism, and the women liberations as some major factors that have propelled the existence of divorce issues within UAE (Al Gharaibeh & Bromfield, 2012). Another study conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs stressed on the fact that sharing accommodation with family members among most of the UAE families as another factor stimulating divorce within UAE (Hassane & Abdullah 2011). Apart from the early marriages and financial issues in UAE, polygamy has been discovered as one of the motive for divorce. For example, the inability of a married woman to have children can be considered as a substantial reason for a divorce. Even though the inability to bear children is beyond their control, most men in UAE take the advantage of such a situation to file a divorce. Based on a survey that was conducted in 2009, 32% of the recorded divorces are due to the man’s wish to settle down with another woman (Al Gharaibeh & Bromfield, 2012). Further research on the reasons for divorce by most of the UAE couples has ascertained that family negligence is another major factor that has constituted to family break ups. This, plus the indulgence to alcohol constituted to 13% for the reasons for divorce. This research implied that, most men stay out late, and neglect their family obligations, and would never be there for their wives and children. In such a case, the wife is forced to take up the responsibilities of the husband, a situation that initiates a divorce (Al Gharaibeh & Bromfield, 2012). Therefore, such a research lends support to the claims that, 70% of the divorces are initiated by men. Challenges Faced by Divorced Mothers in UAE Literary reviews by relationship experts reveal that, the greatest reason for failed marriages in UAE is infidelity and early marriages. The anonymity situation caused by the large numbers of expat workers whose circumstances prevent them from living with their families has been established as the leading cause for infidelity. Studies have revealed that, one in every five men is promiscuous, consequently leading to divorce. A woman in UAE suffers financial distress after a failed marriage, especially if she is the primary supporter of the children. Studies have indicated that the average married woman is financially stable than the average divorced woman. This is explained with the basis that, the divorced woman covers bills and household expenses all by herself. Divorced mothers in the UAE are so much disadvantaged compared to the males with that, she may not consider remarrying if she does not want to lose the custody of the child. Therefore, a divorced woman in UAE is constrained to remain single only and only if she wants to remain as the custodian of the child according to the Islamic law. The man on the other hand can remarry and have a family (Katzman 2012). Being a single mother is such a challenge, especially after a divorce. This is because parenting itself is a challenge and calls for a persistent efforts, and sacrifice. Under the Sharia law, a Muslim mother is only granted the custodian of a daughter who is below the age of nine years of age and boys under the age of seven years. In cases where the child has attained the discretion age, the child chooses the parent whom she/he wants to live with. In cases when the woman wins the favor of the court, parenting such a child becomes such a challenge. This is because the child tends to act out of the effects of the divorce thus making it very difficult to manage the behavior of the child. According to a study done by the National Father initiative, youths in their father’s absence have such a high chance of incarceration and such children are discovered to perform poorly in school (Hassane & Abdullah 2011). Fighting stigma after a divorce is a challenge to women. This is so especially when the mother loses the custody of the child. Most women undergo societal discrimination in such situations and that leave them distressed. Therefore, such women most suffer the most in terms of the quality of life they live there as well as after the emotional wellbeing. Further literary evidence on the effects of divorce on women suggests that, women are vulnerable and emotional and therefore the end of matrimony is very devastating to women than men in the UAE (Hassane & Abdullah 2011). The feeling of rejection overwhelms a sensitive woman who could be still in love. Furthermore, researchers have compiled instances where divorce has led to the termination of life due to the distress that comes with it. A divorce leaves a woman wounded and forlorn without any sense of direction or the willingness to survive. On logical grounds, there are compelling reasons to argue the agony of a failed marriage to a woman in UAE is so depressing. Further, psychological experts have established in their studies that divorced couples are more likely to develop chronic illnesses, and therefore, will die earlier than those who are still married. This study has further established the decline in performance to students whose families have divorced, and are more likely to be aggressive and disobedient. Most women suffer a psychological trauma, especially when they lose their children to the father. This only implies that the children are going to live with a stepmother, which means they would suffer more. The fact that mothers are more attached to their children hurts them more (Katzman 2012). In relation to the divorced women in the UAE, they experience difficulties with societal integration. In most cases, they lack the psychological and social support. A close analysis reverals that there is limited social support for divorced women for the Emirati society, although the government provides some kind of social support. Studies have shown that, most divorced women were under the age of 25 when they got married. This implies that, such women are never academically stable, which also has financial implications. Therefore, when such women divorce, they undergo a difficult financial transition resulting in distress (Katzman, 2012). Divorce on the other hand, is very stressful for young children, especially if it is fuelled by battering and anger. Children are exposed to traumatic childhood experiences, a factor that makes parenting more challenging for the mother. Additionally, this strains the parent-child relationship and all the parties involved undergo a psychological torture, leads to loss of conduct with one parent and further creates economic hardships. Due to such reasons, children undergo hard times during the divorce transition. Research in UAE on children who have grown with a single parent has suggested that, these children undergo an emotional transformation that is reflected in their poor academic performance and withdrawal from other children in learning institutions. Therefore, divorce increases the risk that children are going to suffer from psychological and behavioral problems (Mosaad & Younis 2014). When the children are prone to such adverse effects, the mother feels responsible for their suffering, a factor that may contribute to the development of depression. The middle life crisis is likely to be more pronounced in women who have experienced divorce, as they lack the support from a craing partner. According to the Arab culture, women are highly dependent on men in different facets of their lives. Therefore, when divorce occurs, it affects the emotional stability of the wife, a factor that becomes more pronounced during the mid-life crisis. In cases where the divorve resulted after prolonged violence, the woman may suffer adverse effects of the resulting trauma ((Lorenz et al, 2006). The distress evident in children after a divorce highly affects the mothers welfare because of the nurturing nature of mothers (Shaaban, 2009). Psychologists have discovered that children have the greatest difficulties coping with divorce because of the limitations in the cognitive abilities. Such issues become a long term scar and they may face some challenging adjustments. Further studies have implicated that children whose parents had gotten divorced in UAE had low mathematical scores and interpersonal skills compared with those children whose parents never divorced (Issitt, 2014). Therefore, divorce leads to distraction to small children and affects their performances in school and social activities. Another implication of divorce for children is the struggle of children to deal with change, for example, low living standards and the likelihood of having to change schools (Mosaad & Younis 2014). Research has it that children from divorced families undergo such challenges because of having to live in two families as well as having to deal with ridicule from other children in school. In some instances, children tend to view the non-custodial parent as lost and therefore lead to the feeling of abandonment. Therefore, the negative effects of divorce on children are very strong, and they grow with them even to later ages in life (Mosaad & Younis 2014). Intervention Strategies to reduce divorce in the UAE With the alarming rise in cases of divorce in UAE, remedies need to be taken in order to curd such a vice since it also affects the economy of the country. Dubai has come up with programs that are aimed at reducing the rates of divorces. Their major strategies are the provision of rehabilitation and training courses for the young couples who are about to get married and those that are newly weds. The association has come up with a book titled Successful Marriage that is aimed at giving guidelines on how to avoid divorce. The main objective of the book is the provision of the future planning strategies as well as highlighting the benefits of a successful marriage to the young couples (Mosaad & Younis 2014). Counseling is an additional strategy of helping couples to build functional marriages. Moreover, counseling is also critical for divorced mothers, in a bid to help them overcome the resulting psychological trauma. Emphasis is also placed on the salient need to remain faithful, and the rejuvenation of the marital lifestyle through transparency, respect and mutual understanding. Such a move is meant to promote a support for the campaigns against divorce as well as giving the right principals or mechanisms for a successful marriage (Lorenz et al, 2006). In order to facilitate an easy dissemination of the knowledge, the book is made available to public libraries and is free for everyone to access. In addition claimed that the association is in progress in the formulation of family security wallet and this would ensure that families will never have wrangles out of the financial implications (Mosaad & Younis 2014). Conclusion There are two ways of obtaining a divorce in the UAE communities. The first method is the pronunciation of the word “Talaq” which means “I divorce you” while the second method is by making an application to court for a divorce. Both methods of divorce have similar implications to the involved parties or the family. The wife and the children are much more affected by divorce, especially in UAE than the man. This is because of the fact that, if the woman in question wins the custody of the child, there are further constraints that she should never remarry (Hall, 2004). Contrary to the restricted the freedom of the wife after a divorce, the man is allowed to remarry and if his ex wife remarries, then the man is required by law to become the custodian of his child. Effects of divorce to women range from social, psychological and financial to even physical challenges. A divorced woman who has depended on her husband for financial support suffers a financial distress in such situations of a divorce. A divorced woman in UAE faces such a challenge because every property, including the Visas are registered with the husband’s name, therefore, in case of a divorce, the woman has nowhere to go if she is a foreigner. References Al Gharaibeh, F., & Bromfield, N. (2012). An Analysis of Divorce Cases in the United Arab Emirates: A Rising Trend. Journal Of Divorce & Remarriage, 53(6), 436-452. doi:10.1080/10502556.2012.682896 Examination of Infertile Female Quality of Life in United Arab Emirates. (2003). Fertility Weekly, 16-17.    Hall, P. E. (2004, September 1). Review of the Psychological Effects of Divorce throughout the Lifespan Including Implications for Clinical Treatment. Hassane, S. H., & Abdullah, A. (2011). EXPLORING THE MOST PREVALENT SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. International Journal Of Academic Research, 3(2), 572-577.    Issitt, M. (2014). Point: Divorce Has a Negative Effect on Psychological, Economic, and Social Well-Being Both for Former Spouses and Children of Divorced Parents. Points Of View: Divorce Rate, 1. Jassim Al-Nasr, T. (2011). Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Women and Misyar Marriage: Evolution and Progress in the Arabian Gulf. Journal Of International Womens Studies, 12(2/3), 43-57. Katzman, K. (2012). Governance, Human Rights, and Reform. Congressional Research Service: Report, 1-9.    Lorenz, F., Wickrama, K., Conger, R., & Elder, G. (2006). The short-term and decade-long effects of divorce on womens midlife health. Journal Of Health And Social Behavior, 47(2), 111-125. Mosaad, A. T., & Younis, M. Z. (2014). Health Policies and Intervention Strategies: A Description of Current Issues and Approaches to Care of the Public Health and Health Care System in the United Arab Emirates. Journal Of Health Care Finance, 40(3), 86-100.    Shaaban, A. (2009, March 19). Financial Crunch Takes a Toll on Family Life. Khaleej Times (7/2008 to 4/2009). Read More