Abstract
Divorce rates have been increasing around the world, and the Middle East is not immune to this reality. This pilot study investigates the phenomenological experiences of divorce for 20 Egyptian females. The study is qualitative, using in-depth interviews asking 14 questions that address different aspects of struggling marriages and post-divorce life. Five main themes were derived using a conventional approach to content analysis. The themes are: Expectations before marriage, secret life, relational dynamics, mental health, and resilience. Several sub-themes were identified in each category. The themes and subthemes are discussed. What was surprising was that many women experienced a greater sense of resilience and level of empowerment as a result of their post-divorce process. Recommendations for future research are discussed, including a replication of the study with a more stratified sample group and inclusion of men prior to developing any interventions.
Highlights
Divorce rates have been on the rise in the United States and most European countries since the1960s
Whether economic conditions are contributing factors or the emotional stress resulting from arranged marriages, the fact of the matter remains the same: Divorce rates are increasing in Egypt
This research project aimed to understand the phenomenon of divorce in Egypt, to find answers that are culturally (Arab) and contextually (Middle East) appropriate to address the ultimate goal of developing guidelines to strengthen Arab marriages
Summary
Divorce rates have been on the rise in the United States and most European countries since the1960s. Whether economic conditions are contributing factors or the emotional stress resulting from arranged marriages, the fact of the matter remains the same: Divorce rates are increasing in Egypt. The rise in divorce rates has been attributed to a change in the legal system that took effect in 2000 throughout Egypt (but mostly practiced in metropolis areas because of the difficulty enforcing new laws), which grants women a no-fault divorce “khula” [2]. Such law grants women the right to divorce by renouncing her right to any financial benefits she would normally receive.
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