I think there are some important differences between Egyptian and American culture which can explain the difference between the divorce rate in the US and that in Egypt:
1) Many American women work and earn a salary enough to support themselves and their children. This means they don't have to stay in an unhappy marriage for economic reasons. I think the economic conditions and education level of many Egyptian women probably means that they stay in an unhappy marriage for economic reasons.
2)I think American culture puts more emphasis on the happiness of the individual than the happiness of the group. This means that Americans may get divorced even if it makes their parents or families unhappy. I think in Egyptian culture, people often do things that are unpleasant or uncomfortable to make their families happy.
3)When Americans get divorced the judge will decide whether the children should live with the mother or father - or with both. Under sharia, custody of children automatically goes to the father and I think that some Egyptian women are afraid to lose their children if they get divorced.
4) I think Americans see marriage as an expression of romantic love. When a married couple begins to have problems, they begin to think of divorce. I think for most Egyptians marriage is a way to have a family. They stay in an unhappy relationship because the purpose is having a family, not finding romantic love.
And by the way, Americans worry a lot about the high divorce rate too. It is often mentioned when talking about the condition of American society.
I think there are some important differences between Egyptian and American culture which can explain the difference between the divorce rate in the US and that in Egypt:
ReplyDelete1) Many American women work and earn a salary enough to support themselves and their children. This means they don't have to stay in an unhappy marriage for economic reasons. I think the economic conditions and education level of many Egyptian women probably means that they stay in an unhappy marriage for economic reasons.
2)I think American culture puts more emphasis on the happiness of the individual than the happiness of the group. This means that Americans may get divorced even if it makes their parents or families unhappy. I think in Egyptian culture, people often do things that are unpleasant or uncomfortable to make their families happy.
3)When Americans get divorced the judge will decide whether the children should live with the mother or father - or with both. Under sharia, custody of children automatically goes to the father and I think that some Egyptian women are afraid to lose their children if they get divorced.
4) I think Americans see marriage as an expression of romantic love. When a married couple begins to have problems, they begin to think of divorce. I think for most Egyptians marriage is a way to have a family. They stay in an unhappy relationship because the purpose is having a family, not finding romantic love.
And by the way, Americans worry a lot about the high divorce rate too. It is often mentioned when talking about the condition of American society.
Alison
Rwanda