Legalization of Divorce in the Philippines

Marriage is a revered institution that binds two individuals together in a lifelong commitment.
This tradition, which has been passed down through generations, involves both partners pledging to
stand by each other through the ups and downs of life. However, not all marriages have a happy
ending, and some may even lead to harm being caused to one another or the family they have created
together. In some cases, either the husband or wife may face emotional or physical abuse, but due to
societal and cultural pressures, they are forced to stay together, which can lead to them harbouring
feelings of bitterness and resentment towards their once-beloved partner. This can have a negative
impact not only on their own lives but also on their children's well-being. Sadly, this is a grim reality
in some countries where the concept of divorce is not accepted due to religious, cultural, or legal
reasons. The couples are left with no choice but to endure the pain and misery of staying in an
unhappy marriage, which can have severe repercussions on their mental and physical health in the
long run. I believe that allowing divorce in this country can be a positive step towards addressing
issues within marriage and family relationships.

Divorce can provide a legal and practical solution for couples who are unable to resolve their
differences and are experiencing significant emotional, psychological, and financial distress. Based on
the study conducted by Scott et Al. (2013) they concluded that the reason of divorce are lack of
commitment (75.0%), infidelity (59.6%), and too much conflict and arguing (57.7%), followed by
marrying too young (45.1%), financial problems (36.7%), substance abuse (34.6%), and domestic
violence (23.5%). Other problems, such as religious differences, were endorsed less than 20% of the
time. Statista Research Department, also show a statistic who are support the legalisation of divorce in
the Philippines in 2018; 42 percent of the respondents claimed that they are pro-divorce, followed by
39 percent of the respondents that stated that they are against the legalization of divorce. It can be
concluded that many people already agree with the legalization of divorce in the Philippines.
Everyone should have the right to escape from a bad marriage and be happy again.

If someone is being abused, divorce can be a way to escape the situation and protect themselves.
A 2017 survey showed that one in every four Filipino women between the ages of 15 and 49 has been
physically, emotionally, or sexually abused by her husband or partner. In the absence of legal divorce,
the lawmakers in the Philippines neglect to protect abused women and children. Couples who
experience this kind of situation may not only harm themselves but also their children. Experts believe
that children exposed to parental quarrels may suffer stress and insecurity, with studies indicating that
boys observing their fathers' aggressive behaviour towards their mothers may emulate it, believing it's
appropriate. Similarly, girls may view such aggression as normal, potentially leading to a pattern of
abusive relationships in their adult lives. (Divecha, 2018)
 Making the wrong decisions is inevitable, and legalizing divorce provides an opportunity for
individuals in failed marriages to make better choices for their well-being. The legalization of divorce
is crucial as it grants people the freedom to exit unfulfilling marriages, preventing unnecessary
suffering. In particular, Filipino women and children face significant risks in the absence of divorce
laws, leaving them vulnerable in precarious situations. Given the vital role of women in society,
legalizing divorce becomes essential to empower individuals to choose healthier relationships.
Contrary to misconceptions, divorce does not diminish the sanctity of marriage in the Philippines;
rather, it offers a practical solution for couples facing irreconcilable differences. The benefits of
legalizing divorce extend universally, promoting well-being across genders, ages, and societal
statuses.

References

● Divecha, D. (2018, November 14). What happens to children when parents fight.
Developmental Science.
https://www.developmentalscience.com/blog/2014/04/30/what-happens-to-children-when-par
ents-fight

● One in four women have ever experienced spousal violence (preliminary results from the
2017 national demographic and health survey): Philippine Statistics Authority: Republic of
the Philippines. One In Four Women Have Ever Experienced Spousal Violence (Preliminary
results from the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey) | Philippine Statistics
Authority | Republic of the Philippines. (n.d.).
https://psa.gov.ph/content/one-four-women-have-ever-experienced-spousal-violence-prelimin
ary-results-2017-national

● Published by Statista Research Department, & 21, J. (2021, June 21). Philippines: Opinions towards
the legalization of divorce 2018. Statista.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/996347/philippines-opinions-towards-legalization-divorce/

● Scott, S. B., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., Allen, E. S., & Markman, H. J. (2013, June). Reasons for
divorce and recollections of premarital intervention: Implications for improving relationship education.
Couple & family psychology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4012696/