Introduction
Divorce rates in Singapore have been increasing in recent years, according to data provided by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). The majority of this population is young couples who have been married for less than ten years. This trend is a cause for concern for society. There are numerous problems associated with this trend, and they trickle down to affect children, families, and generations. This paper focuses on three main effects of rising divorce rates; social, economic, and mental.
The social effects of high divorce rates have a bigger effect on children. They tend to experience lower self-esteem and develop behavioural problems. The lack of a stable family structure makes them feel isolated and different from their peers. They also develop feelings of guilt when they blame themselves for their parents’ divorce. As the population of divorcing couples increases, these effects will affect a larger population with time. Divorce is also considered taboo in Singaporean society. The country is mainly conservative and holds Asian values closely in various social structures. This culture is mainly dominant among older generations, which explains the reason most divorce incidents occur among younger couples. As a result, those undergoing divorce often develop the stigma associated with this social issue. It creates unhappiness and lowers their quality of life. This issue is heightened by the difficulty of finding another partner after undergoing a divorce. This is especially for women, who are often left to take care of children after a divorce. Negative societal perceptions cause more feelings of isolation, which affects both parents and children’s lives.
The second effects of high divorce rates are economic impacts. Financial reasons are among the leading causes of divorce as more couples experience the challenge of juggling careers and family care. Usually, there is the perception that a 50-50 split of financial obligations after divorce makes things more straightforward. However, the divorce process can be quite costly for couples, and disagreements usually arise regarding how to split financial resources. According to DBS Bank, uncontested divorce proceedings typically cost about $1500 to $3500. These costs increase to about $10000 and $35000 for contested divorce proceedings. These costs have substantial financial impacts on couples, and some individuals are forced to take out loans to cover these costs, including using money planned for the future, like for children’s education. The costs also affect low and middle-income families disproportionally, leading to increased poverty in the family. An unfair contribution of financial assets by both individuals can also cause one individual to perceive the decisions as unfair.
Mental health effects are another impact of divorce. These usually develop due to feelings of isolation that lead to unhappiness. Social exclusion due to being involved in a ‘taboo’ can cause depression and other mental health effects. These health issues are linked to other adverse impacts like suicidal ideation and substance abuse (Calati et al., 2019). This means that Singaporeans can be affected more significantly by divorce compared to societies that are more accepting of these separations. Children from divorced parents are at a high risk of developing mental health issues like anxiety and depression. This can have a long-term effect on their educational attainment, work productivity, and general quality of life. It may also lead them to develop negative perceptions toward marriages and problems maintaining intimate relationships.
Conclusion
This paper discussed the social, economic, and mental risks and dangers of high divorce rates in the context of Singapore. As members of a conservative culture, Singaporeans who experience divorce can be socially isolated, leading to negative self-images and negative perceptions by the public. The costs of divorce proceedings and problems splitting financial resources create significant economic impacts, especially on low and middle-income countries. Mental health effects can develop due to isolation and self-blame, which can affect divorcees and their children’s quality of life in the long run. Seeking divorce therapy and counselling can be effective ways to address social and mental health impacts of divorce.
References
Calati, R., Ferrari, C., Brittner, M., Oasi, O., Olié, E., Carvalho, A. F., & Courtet, P. (2019). Suicidal thoughts and behaviors and social isolation: A narrative review of the literature. Journal of affective disorders, 245, 653-667.
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