Divorce in decline in Australia

Divorce in Decline in Australia, by GDL

Strangely as it may sound divorce is in decline in Australia. The number of divorces granted in Australia has been decreasing each year since reaching a peak in 2001. A recent report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, shows that divorce is in decline and marriage is on the rise. In 2009 there were 118,756 marriages registered and 121,176 in 2010. This represents an increase of 0.9 per cent or 1,058 more marriages. It is the highest number in any one single year. In contrast, there were only 47,209 cases of divorce in 2009 as compared to 52,700 on 2004. Why this turnaround when one decade ago, one out of 3 marriages ended in divorce?

Studies carried out on a marriage breakdown found many reasons e.g. marrying too early, poor communication, basic unhappiness, loss of love, incompatibility, infidelity, mental illness, emotional problems, deception over expectations of roles, low education, low income, parental divorce, early pregnancy, interpersonal conflict, just to name a few. It is also found that very often divorce is very much associated with economic circumstances and if the couple’s financial situation is stable, the couple has one thing less to argue about.

On the other hand, the Institute has identified the following attributes of healthy couples are: a sense of respect and feeling appreciated, trust and fidelity, good sexual relations, good communication, shared values, cooperation and mutual support, enjoyment of shared time, a sense of spirituality and the ability to be flexible when confronted with frustrations and changes, appreciation for each other.

Commenting on the decline in divorce, Peter Macdonald, Head of Demographics at the Australia National University, found that one reason for the divorce in decline, could be the trend of living together before marriage. He said that in 2008, seventy-eight percent of marriages were preceded by a couple cohabiting.

The economic argument also looks valid towards the longer duration of some marriages. The Australian economy has been strong for the past decade, and there has been a low rate of unemployment. The economy of Australia was not so much affected during the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 and we did not face any recession as opposed toUSAand other European countries. As the economy continues to grow with the unprecedented mining boom, and record exports to China, and the other Asian Countries, this seems to have positive impact both on the economy as well as on social life. It coincides with the fact that families seem to be sticking tougher more.

Another factor contributing to the decline of divorce is the new composition of Australian population i.e. the increasinglyAustraliamulticulturalism. According to the population census conducted last year, 27 percent of Australian residents were born overseas and increasingly, coming from South East Asia.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics,

“From the beginning of the 1970s until the late 1980s, the proportion of the population born overseas remained steady at about 20% and, following an increase in immigration levels at the end of the 1980s, rose to 23% in 1990. Further arrivals of migrants in the 1990s and 2000s contributed to the increase in the overseas-born population, with their proportion of the overall resident population rising to 27% by 30 June 2010.”

The census also shows that the fastest growing community is to be those coming from India. These new migrants usually have a strong belief in spirituality, marriage and family life. As the Family Institute study found that spirituality is a contributing factor to longer relationship, divorce rate in these Asian communities is consequently very low. This also contributes to getting the numbers of marriage up and the rate divorce down.

My neighbours, a young couple coming from India, explained:

“Marriage is sacred in the Hindu religion. Very often marriage is arranged by the two families who consequently become very close, a small community is formed. The lengthy ceremony of marriage itself denotes how important this event is. There is always “surveillance” from the parents to see that the marriage works. A breakdown is a shame to both families.”

The overall news that divorce is in decline, means that there is less family breakdowns and less suffering both for the couples and particularly for children. Fewer divorces denote more stability on the social front which also have positive outcome for the economy at the individual, family and national levels.

This is indeed good news for the whole Australian society.

Sources:

TheInstitute of Family Studies www.afs.gov.au

The family Law Courtwww.familylawcourts.gov.au

The Australian Bureau of Statistics: www.abs.gov.au/

The Sydney Morning Herald, Sept 2001

The Age Sept 2009