Divorce Dogmas

By Kashish Jaisingh

The filmy phrase 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' immortalised by a Karan Johar film in India finds resonance in several quarters worldwide. The movie's underlying theme, which involves two individuals ending their unhappy marriages and seeking love outside of wedlock, was far from being a favourite among the masses when the film was released.

In fact, this concept of promoting divorce is met with discomfort and disapproval across most countries. The notion of a divorce, the dissolution of a marriage, seems to clash with the essence of marriage, which is often perceived as a lifelong commitment, enduring through happiness or misery until death.

Representational Image

In instances of marital troubles, the conventional advice is to 'sit together and sort it out,' and words like 'adjust,' 'settle,' and 'compromise' are frequently thrown around. Such is the weight of the sacred bond of marriage that even issues ranging from minor disagreements to extramarital affairs are considered inadequate grounds for breaking it.

This inclination towards preserving marriage at any cost could be attributed to the social construct of 'marriage' itself, which has become an obligation and a necessity for existence. It is regarded as pure and holy, making giving up on such a profound connection, almost sinful. 

Consequently, people may choose to suffer unhappily rather than seek happiness, irrespective of whether they entered the marriage willingly or not. Furthermore, marriage isn't merely a union between two individuals; it extends to encompass two families, thus bringing shame not only to the couple but also to their families if a divorce were to happen.

'Till death do us part,' approach to marriage seems to revolve around the idea of either enduring an unhappy union or opting for an emotional death, as divorce is virtually inconceivable. This needs to change as at the core of happiness lies an amicable relationship built on truth and trust, not some archaic dogma or religious compulsion that must bind couples 'till death'.