Divorce seems to be one of the big issues of the day. Separation rates appear to be creeping up, whether due to bad decision-making, poor communication or stress factors, such as debt.
As The National reported, almost a third of Abu Dhabi couples who ended their marriages last year had been wed less than 12 months and half of these couples were married less than three years. Overall, divorce rates in the capital have risen at an average of almost five per cent annually since the mid-1970s (despite the fact that an increased number of marriages were registered last year compared with previous years).
These statistics seem to reflect an overall growing trend in the number of marriages dissolving around the globe. In the US, more than half of marriages end in divorce. In parts of Europe, the rate is almost 2 in 3 and in Belgium, almost 75 per cent of marriages eventually end. High divorce rates in countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue to rise.
In a report published two years ago, experts told The National that social media and financial considerations seemed to be the main culprits behind irreconcilable differences.
While there must be no doubt that some marriages must end (if not for immediate concerns, such as verbal and physical abuse, for the wellbeing of the children if the conflict becomes intractable), there is ample literature to suggest that the qualities needed for long-term marriage have dropped under the strain of information overload and the pressure “to be perfect” that is ingrained in us all through social media.
Some people look for particular characteristics in their partners, such as wealth, looks, family status or job security, according to the Emirati psychologist cited in the report, while also failing to manage what might be their own unrealistic expectations. This, in turn, leads to many young couples failing to remedy what become sources of disenchantment.
It is hoped that an expanding network of counsellors and support services could help couples by mediating before their relationship completely caves in on itself.
Reconciliation efforts, which can be achieved through psychological counselling, government initiatives or family guidance sections, are strengthening year on year. The stronger they become, the better our chances of reducing divorce rates and reversing the trend.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
The biog
Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren
Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies
Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan
Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India
Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Opening weekend Premier League fixtures
Weekend of August 10-13
Arsenal v Manchester City
Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
Results
2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m
Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m
Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m
Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m
Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.
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