Over 10 divorces a day

However, in some cases, divorce, which is a personal choice, could be the only solution to end an otherwise traumatic life, he said.

Reducing the rate of divorces has been a topic of interest in several countries where nationwide programmes are prepared to develop public awareness about the importance of marriage and family.

“The divorce rate tends to be higher in the first few years of marriage, then appears to decrease in later years. The first three years of marriage seem to be the most risky period”, he said.

Quoting a report, Dr Hamed said that there are changes in the concept of marriage observed in the GCC countries which includes a gradual move away from arranged marriages, relative delay in the age of marriage, and emergence of marriages across ethnic and class boundaries.

Arranged marriages often deprive young couples of their right for free choice of their partners so they find themselves non-comparable with differences in perceptions about life.

Other issues involved in the increasing number of divorces include incompatibility between couples in age, physical and sexual appeal, financial and social status etc.

Most importantly, said Dr Hamed, is failure to understand that a family requires commitment and hard work.

“In some families, the husband is frequently absent and fails to share in household duties and child rearing which is left to the wife to handle”, he said.

According to Dr Hamed, promoting freedom of choice regarding marriage partners is likely to reduce divorce rate.

The Ministry of Social Development launched marriage counselling services in 2014 to offer Omani couples advice on married life and to educate them about potential challenges.

Along with counselling, all sections of the media should also be used to educate about the sanctity of marriage and family life, Dr Hamed said.