Divorce in a rural north Indian area: evidence from Himachali villages
Singh, M.
Man in India 76(3): 215-228
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-1569 PMID: 12347820 Document Number: 304870
Contrary to existing beliefs that divorce is a rare occurrence in Indian society, particularly among Hindus, the evidence from ten villages in Himachal Pradesh suggests that the incidence of divorce is comparable to present-day levels in Western society. However, the factors responsible for high levels of divorce in Western society do not explain the prevalence of divorce in Himachal Pradesh. The main reasons for divorce are sexual maladjustment between spouses caused by the early marriage age of girls and large age differences between spouses. The study finds that as the age at marriage increases the level of divorce decreases. Other factors cited are differences in the educational achievements of women and their husbands and caste differences.