Chapter One. Overview Of Divorce In Contemporary Singapore—Taking Stock

Abstract

This is the introductory chapter of the book, which portrays the significance of marriage in contemporary societies, and the central role it plays in the facilitation of self-actualization and self-fulfillment in every day life. Demographic trends of delayed marriages, an increase in the proportion of singles, and low fertility rates have hit the headlines globally in recent years. Worldwide statistics suggest that marriage has become increasingly fragile as reported divorce rates have raised to alarmingly high levels in many developed countries. Marriage in traditional societies served to organize members roles in the economic, political and social hierarchies that governed social order. Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore are three Asian countries which share similar trajectories in both economic and social transformations. This chapter discusses the socio-cultural, marital and familial factors that tip a marriage towards dissolution. It presents an overview of how the other chapters of the book are organised.Keywords: Asian societies; divorce trends; marriage dissolution; Singapore