Divorce rates in India are rising due to several key factors. Changing social attitudes, increased financial independence, and growing awareness of personal rights have all contributed to this shift.(Image: Canva)
Divorce rates in India are gradually increasing for numerous reasons. Factors especially include rushed arranged marriages, poor communication, and unrealistic expectations that deteriorate the marriage stability. Understanding the factors also allows us to root out the underlying issues and to develop a healthier relationship.
It is worth noting that India has experienced an increase in divorce rates in recent times, challenging the notion that marriage must persist through thick and thin. Relationship coach Javal Bhatt, in a 9 October Instagram post, shared 15 key pointers about why divorces are increasing in Indi.
Story continues below Advertisement
Here are 15 issues that lead to divorce, according to Javal Bhatt:
- Complete arrange marriage and not knowing or and meeting each other for at-least 6 months to 1 year:
Rushed arranged marriages are one factor. Oftentimes, couples are involved in an arranged marriage that is rushed. Couples enter marriages without actual time to effectively understand each other's personalities, values, and life goals, and this level of incompatibility will create misunderstandings and friction post marriage.
Also read: Knot.Dating: The AI app making serious, intentional dating profitable in just six months
- Not clearing non negotiable being real before marriage:
Unrealistic expectations are another factor. People go into marriage with very unrealistic perspectives on what marriage will be like, and even worse, many people idealize what marriage will have, so that it will be perfect. When the reality is different than stated expectations, disappointment and dissatisfaction occur.
- Promising something else and doing something else. Actions and words don't match:
Effective communication is crucial to any successful relationship. When partners are unable to openly communicate, harmful resentment and emotional distance is likely to arise due to a lack of resolution to issues that come up.
- Marrying out of only high attraction, lifestyle and not seeing nature, behaviour:
Debts and differing financial habits can strain marriages. Even when both partners are gainfully employed, they are often unable to agree over spending versus saving or financial priorities. This leads to tension and disagreement which can escalate into conflict.
- There's no work life balance:
The relationship becomes strained when couples do not invest sufficient time and energy in both personal and professional relationships. As a result, there is now an emotional distance between them. When one partner has been consistently stressed about work and then brings that stress home, there is an absence of connection, communication, or joy.
- There's too much of expectations - emotionally, physically or financially:
Any unrealistic or excessive expectations within the
emotional support, physical intimacy, or financial expectations will put undue strain on both partners in the relationship. When partners do not communicate effectively with each other or take care of the management side of the relationship, frustration develops, feelings of inadequacy and resentment emerge, and strain is placed on the marriage.
- There's no consistency or expressing love and putting efforts after marriage:
Marriage requires ongoing nurturing. Many couples mistakenly believe the wedding day seals the deal and stop investing in small acts of love like compliments, affection, or quality time. This inconsistency leads to emotional disconnect and dissatisfaction, making partners feel unappreciated and neglected.
- There's emotional unavailability:
Marriage requires continued investment and care. Many couples operate under the notion that after the wedding day, they are "off the hook" and stop implementing the process of caring through speaking kindly, physical touches, or quality time together. Marriage requires consistent acts of caring, and it is the inconsistent acts that create emotional distance and dissatisfaction with the nature of the individual relationship. Partners begin to feel unvalued and neglected.
- Couples suddenly stop flirting or complimenting because they're wife or husband now:
When one or both partners are emotionally unavailable, there is a wall preventing intimacy. Couples may even avoid any vulnerability and shut down during conflict. In either case, one partner does not feel connected, and does not feel that they are being heard. This emotional distance takes away from the closeness and trust of the marriage.
- There's a lot of blaming each other without self reflection and accountability:
Constant blame without introspection creates a toxic cycle. When both partners only point fingers and never look inward, problems multiply instead of getting solved. Growth in a
relationship comes from accountability, empathy, and a willingness to change — not from keeping score.
Thinking about your relationship while looking at other people's highlight reels on social media is one of the quickest ways to measure your relationship as inadequate. Social media does not depict the actual work behind a relationship — it shows curated perfection. When you compare your relationship, you become dissatisfied and create unrealistic expectations, which puts pressure on your relationship.
- There's too much of involvement of both friends or family:
Many families have extended family as a stressor as well. Family often offer unsolicited support and opinions about children's matters, compromising the couples autonomy.
- Threatening to divorce in little arguments, fights:
When "divorce" is used as a threat, there are long-term consequences for emotional safety. Rather than finding resolution, it creates more fear and insecurity. Over time, it shifts love from unconditional to conditional. A relationship's intimacy deteriorates and becomes fragile and unstable when one partner is left harboring feelings about the other.
Also read: 5 things to do in virtual reality and 5 to avoid, as per a study
- Stuck into ex and also in a contact with the ex:
Continuing to be emotionally or physically tied to an ex creates substantial trust issues. When a partner cannot fully sever ties to their past, there is no trust in the present. No person deserves to be in a relationship with someone who seems to have more emotional business with their past.
- Going into external marital affairs due to boredom phase or rough phase in relationship:
Many find connection outside the marriage in tough times instead of working on the vulnerability of sharing what is wrong. Infidelity is typically more about the work involved in meeting the needs of the relationship than it is about the third party.
- Can't let go a little also and taking everything personally, holding onto things:
On top of that, when small arguments are taken personally and turned into grudges, love suffocates. Letting go, choosing forgiveness, and working through discomfort is where real growth happens.
Story continues below Advertisement
Addressing these issues requires an active approach to premarital counselling, open communication, and shared respect. By addressing the factors that contribute to the growing number of divorces, couples can begin to create stronger and healthier marriages.
