Institution of Marriage is Demolishing in India

Indian matrimony has always been associated with words like eternity, lifelong, everlasting and forever. It is the most beautiful relation that completes a man and a woman as they spend all their lives together with each other. Though it is not so easy to establish a lasting relation, Indian couples have been hugely successful in doing so. The fact not only fascinates everyone but also encourages them to do the same.

As rosy it may sound, it has changed in today’s times being no more an incorrigible relation. It can now be easily influenced by even the most insignificant and trivial of the issues like incompatibility, lack of cleanliness, bringing work home, lack of time, watching television, communication gap and so on. With women becoming fully aware of their rights and demanding equality, marital tensions are mounting up as males are not able to handle this empowerment. Adultery, extra-marital affairs, ego clashes, suspicion and lack of faith are constantly becoming reasons for the increasing number of marriage break ups.

It is interesting to note as figures reveal that chances of break up in love marriages are higher than in arranged marriages. The records state that at least 50% love marriages and 30% arranged marriages in India end up in divorce. Breaking marriages is not unheard of anymore as rising numbers of couples are opting for separation these days. Out of 1,36,000 marriages solemnized in Delhi in 2009, 10,000 ended up in divorce courts. Like ‘every coin has two sides’, it is good that the couple does not have to suffer with each other forever if not compatible but such increasing figures are sure creating tensions and apprehensions.

The couples are forced to think twice before tying the knot as the sacred institution of marriage is seen crumbling.

Riveting Observations on Marriage & Divorce

Marriages are the most celebrated occasions in the Indian customs. And it is the most painful when this sacred relationship breaks. But, there are some many interesting observations made in a research on the best and worst things in an individual’s life - Marriage and Divorce. They are:

-At least 70% of those involved in a divorce have a lover at the time of their breakups but hardly 15% of them get married to that lover.

-The possibility of break ups in second marriages is higher than in first marriage. As statistics show- 45% of first marriages, 60% of second marriages and 75% of third marriages break up.

The research also emphasizes on the fact that one must definitely grow in a marriage for it to be successful. If it is mere longevity that one celebrates, it is a dreadful disaster. It also questioned if couples really take their wedding vows seriously as when you experience love, it is valid forever.

The research also explained how people who tend to fall in and out of love feel disappointment and disillusionment by giving either of the three responses- pessimism, romanticism and realism.

-Pessimists feel that love is an illusion and protect themselves against further disappointment by avoiding any kind of intimacy.

-Romantics make it a habit to fall in love but run away when the going gets tough.

-Realists decide to stay away from the excesses of romance and settle down for practical and mature relationships.

As authored by world mythologist, Joseph Campbell, people don’t realize and understand what exactly marriage is. People fall in love and get married thinking it will make their love affair eternal without realizing what marriage brings with it- Transformation. One has to yield, give and submit to the partner not just dictate and take from him/ her.