Disharmony, No Responsibility, and Economy Three Main Causes of Divorce

Jakarta | badilag.net/english

Disharmony, the absence of responsibility, and economic problem rank top in terms of factors for divorce cases decided by Religious Courts throughout Indonesia in 2009. Out of 223,271 divorce cases finalized by the courts, 72,274 cases were caused by disharmony, 61,128 cases due to lack of responsibility and 43,309 cases triggered by economic problem.

Intervention from third party was the fourth reason for divorce, numbering 16,077 cases. Other factors which contributed to the rising number of divorce were jealousy (8,284 cases), bad morality (6,486 cases), and forced marriage (2,064 cases).

In addition, physical abuse and polygamy contribute a quite substantial role in causing marriage to break up. 1,965 divorce cases decided in 2009 were generated by this violence and 1,196 cases led by unhealthy polygamy.

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Based on data at the Directorate General of Religious Courts Body in the Supreme Court, despite the increasing number of divorce cases received and decided by Religious Courts, factors causing the divorce did not change significantly from year to year. Disharmony, no responsibility, and economic problem remained on top positions.

Compared to 2008, divorce caused by under-age marriage declined in 2009 while divorce due to political reasons rose almost four-fold, from 112 cases in 2008 to 402 cases in 2009.

Meanwhile, divorce caused by biological defect went down from 1,080 cases in 2008 became 865 cases in 2009.

The data from 2000 to 2009 also shows that most divorce cases were filed by wives (divorce claim). Divorce claims totaled 65% compared to divorce petition (submitted by husbands) which was only 35 %.

 (avic n veros)