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“The Romans had an interesting view towards marriage – ‘matrimonia debent esse libera’ or ‘marriage ought to be free.’” By this, one could opt out of marriage whenever he/she desires. In contrast to this, is the view shared by “Victorian England” -- couples must stay together for “better or for worst.” Currently, both views exist globally depending largely on one’s culture and the society in which one is nurtured (Panse, 2007). In Ghana, divorce is frowned upon and seen as an element of culture diffusion; no ethnic group has been found to be in favor of divorce. Despite this, divorce cases in Ghana are very high. According to the 15th January, 2008 edition of “Public Agenda,” six hundred and eighteen (618) customary marriages were dissolved as against a thousand five hundred and eleven marriages registered. The causes of these marriage dissolutions has been enumerated as infertility, financial problems, physical or emotional abuse, infidelity, and even alcoholism. With a critical look at the effects of divorces, will these causes really merit a divorce? This essay takes a look at the negative effects of divorce on the most affected: the woman, children and the society at large.
The first and perhaps the most noticeable effect resulting from most divorces in Ghana is the dramatic change in the standard of living of women. Studies done in developed countries showed that divorced women face roughly a thirty percent (30%) decline in the standard of living they enjoyed while married. The decline rate is even higher in the Ghanaian society where a significant number of women are housewives. Also Ghanaian women who work tend to earn less in terms of salary than Ghanaian men. In spite of these, the women usually retain custody of children after divorce. Thus, the children’s school fees, medical bills and pocket money are catered for by their mothers. This sudden burden of responsibility puts women in undue hardships. Also child-support from fathers is insignificant and at times totally absent in this part of our world.
Another effect of marriage dissolution is the difficulty faced by women in their effort to re-marry. In the Ghanaian society, women are expected to marry men who are older than them. This makes it difficult for divorced women to find new partners since these women are normally above the age of thirty-five. Also, some Christians believe that a divorced woman cannot get married until her divorced husband dies -- “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” (Romans 7: 2 & 3)
The third effect is the plight of the children. The children become the most vulnerable after divorce. The family which serves as a primary agent of socialization exists no more. This circumstance makes nurturing of children difficult. Prostitutes, armed robbers and other social misfits are normally found to be children from broken homes. The situation becomes worst when children shuttle between both parents’ homes; a parent always believes the child is with the other parent even when the child is elsewhere.
Divorce also has a negative effect on society. Broken homes increase the number of school drop-outs and eventually street children. Children from dissolved marriages often drop out of school and become hawkers with the notion of assisting a parent or younger siblings. These children learn to steal, defraud, cheat, and even bully people from the streets. The existence of these street children serves as a threat to members of society. This makes members of society insecure; hence they invest in sophisticated security gadgets.
Should parents consider all these negative effects of divorce, I believe the rate of divorce in Ghana will reduce drastically. Couples must endeavor to solve all marital problems and must not see divorce as a solution. However should all resolutions fail and dissolution becomes the order of the day, couples should come together to think of the welfare of their children.




References

Amankwah, A. (2008). Ghana: A.M.A Records High Divorce Cases And Low Marriage

Registrations. Public Agenda. Retrieved May 15th, 2009, from

allafrica.com/stories/200801150685.html


Electronic Bible Rk (Evaluasion Version 2.6). Retrieved May 10th, 2009, from

www.rksoft.com.br



How Would Divorce Affect Me? (2001). "The Economic Costs of Marital Disruption for Young

Women”. Retrieved May 26th, 2009, from

www.troubledwith.com/Relationships/A000000830.cfm?topic=relationships%3A%20divorce

Panse, S. (2007). Common Causes and Reasons for Divorce. Retrieved May 15th,
2009, from www.buzzle.com/articles/common-causes-and-reasons-for-
divorce.html



NAME: JOHN TOGBA JNR LEVEL 100

INDEX NUMBER: BACS10123724