Why Women Get Divorced in Bangladesh: Exploring Individualism and Other Factors

Introduction

Bangladesh is one of the countries where family bonding and happiness are significant, and this culture has been cultivated among the people of this country for decades. However, it is unfortunate that such a scenario has begun changing. Divorce rates have steadily grown over the past few years due to several causes. The number of divorce applications filed in the two city corporations of Dhaka is alarming, which heralded a new era of modernism. According to official statistics, the divorce rate increases daily in Dhaka city, and the ratio of women serving notices for the breakup is double that of men. ¹ The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) ² reports that the national divorce application rate has climbed by an alarming 34% over the past 7 years. The BBS report also suggests that nearly 50,000 divorce applications were filed in Dhaka city in the past 6 years, one of which was submitted every hour. The year 2020 witnessed 6,345 divorce petitions in one of the two city corporations of Dhaka. The pattern suggests that 70 per cent of women sought a divorce. The year 2021 witnessed 14 per cent more divorce applications, of which 65 per cent were women seeking a divorce. ³

It appears that a traditional Bangladeshi society is experiencing an increasing trend in marriage breakups. This article attempts to answer why this is happening. To understand the drivers of marriage breakups, Pothen ⁴ surveyed 200 husbands and 200 wives in India and contended that divorce is caused by biological, psychological, and environmental variables (familial, economic, and social). She also identified several reasons for divorce in the Hindu community in India, including brutality, husbands’ extramarital affairs with other women, husbands’ failure to provide basic needs, and in-laws’ or relatives’ intervention in family matters. Pothen's argument was partially supported by Cano & O’Leary, ⁵ who stated that a spouse's infidelity acts as a catalyst for divorce. Balakrishnan et al. ⁶ presented a new argument regarding the natural environment, suggesting that women raised in urban regions have a higher separation rate than those raised in rural areas.

Guest ⁷ Carmichael et al., ⁸ and Jones ⁹ argue that increasing employment facilities and educational opportunities for women are significant factors in rising divorce rates globally. Agreeing with the argument about women's job opportunities, Smith ¹⁰ contends that increased employment opportunities for women, advances in reproductive control technology, and postdivorce welfare facilities have contributed to higher divorce rates in Britain. Jesmin and Salway ¹¹ present a similar argument to Smith, suggesting that marriage dissolution is more common in urban regions than in rural areas. They argue that greater female work involvement makes women more independent, ultimately increasing the chances of divorce.

Modernization and urbanization have not only impacted the West but have also affected the East, including Bangladesh, a developing country that is not immune to these trends. Alam ¹² found that infertility and chronic illness contribute to divorces. Sultana, ¹³ in her study of rural Bangladesh, identified patriarchal attitudes, a lack of gender awareness, gender biases in religious law and customs, inadequate implementation and enforcement of existing laws, and limited access to justice due to cost and the protracted nature of the legal process as fundamental issues causing divorce and polygamy. Akter and Begum ¹⁴ indicated that extramarital relationships, verbal and physical abuse, financial struggles, desertion, in-law interference, dowry demands, personality disorders, criminal acts, and unemployment influence women's decisions to divorce. Ziha et al. ¹⁵ added that extramarital affairs and increased mistrust lead to marriage dissolution. In another research found a striking trend where women choose to divorce as they receive significant financial settlements from their husbands. ¹⁶ Although Dhaka city has faced high divorce rates, previous studies have not specifically addressed the underlying causes. This article is the first of its kind to investigate the drivers of increased divorce rates in Dhaka city.

Methodology

With the aim of investigating the causes of marriage breakups in Dhaka City, this study employs the expert interview method. This method was selected due to its ability to leverage the up-to-date knowledge of experts regarding specific phenomena. Additionally, issues pertaining to divorce as documented in daily newspapers were consulted to establish correlations with interview data. The research conducted in-depth interviews to gain a nuanced understanding of the phenomena, utilizing semistructured and open-ended interview questions. A total of twenty interviews were conducted, including six female participants, who were selected based on their expertise in research, teaching, and legal matters related to divorce and family issues. The decision to include twenty interviewees aligns with research principles, as confirmed by Latham, who suggests that twelve participants are sufficient for a homogeneous group (for details see Mostofa ¹⁷ ). Prior approval was obtained from the University of Dhaka to conduct this research.

Theorizing Marriage Breakup

Individualism—defined as “a social pattern that consists of loosely linked individuals who view themselves as independent of collectives” (2) ¹⁸ —is one of the most influential “global values.” ¹⁹ It prioritizes the rights and liberties of individuals over those of groups or communities, advocating that every individual has inherent value and should be left to prosper independently. Society should not interfere with or regulate individuals’ personal lives. Individualism promotes personal autonomy, self-expression, and self-reliance, which can lead to greater wellbeing, self-esteem, and satisfaction. It also fosters creativity, innovation, and progress by encouraging independent thinking and goal pursuit. ²⁰ According to Bellah et al., ²¹ American individualism is rooted in principles of self-reliance, independence, and separation from family, religion, and community. Moreover, people in individualistic cultures often have a strong sense of self-efficacy. ²²

Modernization theories suggest that as societies become more industrialized and urbanized, traditional social structures and values—such as family, community, and religious institutions—decline, leading to a greater emphasis on individual autonomy and self-expression. ²³ In economically developed societies, the reduced need to rely on groups for survival allows people to prioritize individual goals and personal freedom. ²⁴ Urban environments, in particular, are thought to promote individualism.^{25, 26} Correlational studies across multiple countries^{27, 28} and observations of single communities before and after economic development ²⁹ support the claim that more developed and urbanized societies are more individualistic. Putnam ³⁰ suggests that technology and the internet have furthered individual empowerment and self-determination by providing access to information and global connections.

While modernization and industrialization create conditions conducive to individualism, the women's empowerment movement has also fostered individualism among women. Women's empowerment involves women organizing themselves to strengthen their self-reliance, assert their autonomous rights, and manage resources to confront and remove their subordination. ³¹ Through globalization, women can find work in various industries, services, and export processing zones, making them more financially independent.^{32– 34} A study by researchers at the University of California found that as women gain more access to education and employment, they are more likely to adopt individualistic values and beliefs. The study also found that highly educated and employed women were more likely to hold feminist attitudes and beliefs, often associated with individualism. ³⁵ Another study from the University of Missouri-Columbia revealed a significant increase in individualistic attitudes and values among women, attributed to increased access to education and employment opportunities and cultural shifts such as the rise of feminist movements. ³⁶

Industrialization, modernization, education, job opportunities, women empowerment, and the feminist movement have influenced people's behavior, particularly among women, leading to the rise of individualism. However, individualism has also impacted traditional value systems, including marriage. Individualistic approaches urge people to pursue personal achievement, creating competition between individuals. ³⁷ These systems can result in high social mobility, leading to increased social anxiety. ³⁸ The focus on personal achievements can strain interpersonal relationships. ³⁹ Lester ⁴⁰ suggests that divorce rates are higher in nations with higher individualism scores.

The individualism thesis argues that a focus on personal happiness and self-fulfillment makes individuals more likely to end relationships that do not meet their needs or expectations. ⁴¹ This can lead to less satisfaction in relationships and a higher likelihood of seeking new partners or ending relationships. ⁴² It can also foster a sense of entitlement and self-importance, making individuals view relationships as disposable when they do not meet expectations. ⁴³ Giddens ⁴⁴ notes that individualistic culture promotes individual choice and autonomy, leading to individuals feeling less constrained by social norms and expectations. This makes them more comfortable ending unsatisfying relationships and pursuing new ones. ⁴⁵ Moreover, individualistic culture may foster a sense of entitlement, leading individuals to prioritize their happiness without regard for their partner's needs, contributing to relationship dissatisfaction and a greater likelihood of divorce.^{46, 47}

Using insights from the theory of individualism, this article argues that individualism has been a key factor in the rise of marriage breakups in Bangladesh. The increased divorce rate is inextricably linked to personal happiness, the promotion of individual choice and autonomy, and a sense of entitlement. Industrialization, modernization, and globalization have created job and education opportunities for women. The growth of industry has led to a demand for workers, enabling women to leave their homes and become financially independent. They have pursued higher education and acquired new skills, increasing their job market prospects. As women gained financial independence, they became more cautious about violence and their personal choices, seeking divorce if their marriage is not fulfilling or if they are subjected to abuse by their husbands.

Findings

The thematic analysis method has been adopted to present the data collected during fieldwork in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Discussion

Industrialization, urbanization, and women's empowerment are deeply connected with the rise of women's individualism. Interviewee no. 11 emphasizes the significant role of industrialization in promoting women's empowerment in Bangladesh. He points out that industrialization provides women with increased access to education and job opportunities, enabling them to achieve financial independence. As a result, women become more self-reliant and help develop individualistic behavior in women (August 8, 2022). The co-relation between industrialization and the rise of individualism is already established. Industrialization leads to self-autonomy and self-expression. ⁶⁶

Industrialization in Bangladesh has significantly impacted women's economic independence, leading to increased individualism and higher divorce rates, particularly in Dhaka City. Traditionally dependent on men, women now find financial independence through new job opportunities created by industrialization. Interviewee no. 1 notes that this financial independence has fostered individualistic attitudes among women in Dhaka (July 17, 2022). Interviewee no. 8 adds that industrialization also promotes women's education, further enhancing their autonomy and decision-making abilities (August 2, 2022). Jahan et al. ⁶⁷ emphasize that education empowers women by giving them control over household resources, participation in income-generating activities, and awareness of their legal rights and protections against violence. Modernization, globalization, urbanization, and industrialization have collectively expanded women's access to education and employment, fostering self-reliance and reducing their willingness to tolerate unsatisfactory marriages.

Financial independence also contributes to higher divorce rates, as women refuse to endure discrimination or abuse from their spouses or in-laws (interviewee no. 1, July 17, 2022). Jones ⁶⁸ concurs, noting that employed women face increased marital tension and exposure to potential partners, further promoting divorce. Thus, Dhaka's economic development fosters individualistic traits, sometimes leading to marital breakdowns, a trend also observed by Ermisch. ⁶⁹

Some interviewees also adopt the theory of urbanism, which means women living in urban areas are prone to divorce. Interviewee no. 5 opines that women reared in Dhaka City are more individualistic due to their feminist awareness than in other parts of the country. Some scholars have also argued that those who grow up in urban regions have a greater separation rate than those brought up in rural. ^{70 – 72}

Individualism has also increased the chances of mismatching among urban women. Interviewee no. 5 highlights that mismatching could lead to a higher likelihood of divorce in urban areas. Individualism affects people's choices and prioritizes one's own needs and desires over their partner, making it difficult for couples to compromise and find common ground. This individualistic nature can lead to a greater focus on personal happiness and self-fulfillment, which may cause individuals to end a relationship that does not meet their expectations. ⁷³

Globalization helps increase individualism by fostering a Western culture of free mixing and pre-marital sex. It normalizes things that go against traditional values (interviewee no. 11, August 8, 2022). Another effect of globalization is the use of social media. Through social media, people connect themselves with unknown people that significantly impact their family and personal lives. This is how social media creates mistrust between spouses, leading to divorce. Ziha et al. ⁷⁴ extrapolate that social media has become the source of many problems and has affected married life badly, such as fights with partners, extramarital affairs, and increased mistrust. The extramarital relationship causes divorce. “Extramarital relationship among educated and high-profile people is high in Dhaka City because when people realize that their understanding level with their partner is not matched or any martial dissatisfaction, it leads them to make an illegal relationship with their colleagues and other persons” (interview no. 11, August 8, 2023). Lammers et al. ⁷⁵ surveyed 1275 professionals’ high profile, and their study showed that women with higher authoring power in their workplace are more involved in extramarital relationships than men.

The shift in traditional values has also been addressed by 12 interviewees due to the rise of individualism. Interviewee no. 4 said that divorce has traditionally been viewed as a social taboo and a sign of failure in a marriage. However, recent social and educational developments have led to a shift in attitudes toward divorce (July 21 to 28, 2023]. To Giddens, ⁷⁶ individualistic culture promotes individual choice and autonomy, which can result in individuals feeling less constrained by social norms and expectations. It could also promote a sense of entitlement, making people think they can pursue their own satisfaction without considering their partner's needs. ⁷⁷ This entitlement can cause marriage dissatisfaction and a higher probability of divorce. ⁷⁸

As women are more individualistic now, they no longer tolerate physical and verbal abuse. This tendency also leads women to seek more divorces (interview no. 8, August 2, 2023). Toews et al. ⁷⁹ support this finding that psychological and physical abuses are the primary reasons for marital dissolution. Ten interviewees also point out some other reasons that increase the chances of mismatching. These issues included drug addiction, financial crisis, losing intimacy, creating chronic stress and fear, infertility, and child marriages. Alam's ⁸⁰ research shows how infertility causes divorces in rural Bangladesh; Booth and Edwards, ⁸¹ South and Spitze, ⁸² and Thornton and Rogers ⁸³ argue that marriage at an early age increases the chances of divorce because the child lacks maturity and understanding.

Another factor that is very prominent in Bangladesh is that a good number of Bangladeshi are working abroad, leaving their spouse at home. Their absence often leads to extramarital affairs and marital breakdowns. Women are affected mostly. Interviewee no. 7 said that the absence of a spouse due to work-related migration could result in a breakdown of trust and communication in the relationship, ultimately leading to infidelity and divorce (July 30, 2022). Furthermore, interviewee no. 11 comments that when women migrant workers return home, they often face suspicion and mistrust from their husbands, who may believe they have been unfaithful during their time abroad. This can lead to a breakdown in the marriage and even domestic violence (August 8, 2022).

Conclusion

Divorce is still frowned upon in many sections of the country, particularly in rural communities, where a divorced woman is associated with humiliation and shame. However, it may be claimed that attitudes against divorcees are slowly fading away in cities like Dhaka, where industrialization, urbanization, the influence of Western Culture, technological development, and social development (education, job opportunity, and women's empowerment) are creating individualistic characteristics, which are allowing people to leave their conservative ideas.

The rise of individualism has led people to prioritize their own happiness and personal satisfaction, which can lead to marital breakdown if they feel their present marriage is unsatisfactory or their partner is abusive. In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, the facilities for education and job opportunities are higher compared to other areas of the country, allowing women to become financially independent and participate in decision making in family matters. This financial independence can lead to women taking the decision to dissolve their marriage if they are unhappy or their partner is unfaithful. The industrialization of the city has contributed to this individualistic mindset among women, which causes the rise in divorce rates in Dhaka. In short, it can be concluded that globalization, modernization, urbanization, and industrialization ensure women's education and employment, leading to women's empowerment. Women's empowerment helps the rise of individualism, which prioritizes one's own interests and puts pressure on women's willingness to sacrifice themselves which can lead to seeking divorce.