‘SOCIAL MEDIA’ CREATING MARITAL DISCORD IN OMAN
Marriages are not always rosy, couples have to make adjustments for smooth sail in life
An alarming increase in the number of divorce cases in the Sultanate of Oman is a cause of concern with a leading official at the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) attributing the rise in divorce to growing influence of social media.
Speaking to Al Shabiba radio recently, Dr Jalal bin Yousef Al Mukhaini, director of family counselling and guidance at the social development ministry, said: “We have seen a marked increase in the divorce cases in the
Sultanate of Oman from 2020 to 2021. According to official statistics, 6,000 divorce cases have been filed in the country in 2021, an average of 16 cases every day and an increase of 75 per cent approximately or 2,574 cases compared to 2020.
“In 2020, divorce rates in Oman also rose by almost 50 per cent, compared to the previous year, with pressures caused by the pandemic to be one of the main reasons. At least 3,426 divorce certificates were issued in Oman in 2020, which meant nearly nine cases a day.”
As for marriage, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, (NCSI), marriages of Omanis increased from 18,000 in 2020 to 39,000 in 2021.
Al Mukhaini said: “The statistics give us a grim picture of today’s world. I even have doubts that the stats provided are complete and correct. I have heard there may be more divorce cases that go unreported. The rise of divorce is increasing among young people and groups with low educational and economic levels.”
Al Mukhaini expressed his concern on the impact of social media on newly-married couples.
He said: “We see young married couples getting carried away with their own ideas, believing that marriage is all rosy and full of love. But the fact is that there are a lot of adjustments to be made by both. And when there is a lack of communication between partners and families who fail to intervene, it causes a rift. At times, the expectations towards life differ for both with financial issues often leading to clashes.