Family related news spanned the world with a look at: the high rate of, and acceptance, of divorce in the West African nation of Mauritania; the Muzz, the Muslim dating app; and the large number of women being abandoned by their husbands in India. Other highlights include the importance of accepting your partner’s individuality and a deep dive into what happens with the family house when divorcing.
Orna Guralnik, The New York Times, May 16, 2023
One of the most difficult challenges for couples is getting them to see beyond their own entrenched perspectives, to acknowledge a partner’s radical otherness and appreciate difference and sovereignty. To be truly open to your partner’s experience, you must relinquish your conviction in the righteousness of your own position; this requires humility and the courage to tolerate uncertainty.
Written by Ruth Maclean/Photographs by Laura Boushnak, The New York Times, June 4, 2023
Divorce in Mauritania, is not just commonplace, but a reason to celebrate and spread the word that the woman is available once more for marriage. In this almost 100 percent Muslim country, divorce is frequent; many people have been through five to 10 marriages, and some as many as 20. Mauritanians’ openness to divorce — which seems so modern — coexists with very traditional practices around first marriages. It is common for parents to choose the groom themselves and marry daughters off when they are still young.
Sadiba Hasan, The New York Times, June 5, 2023
According to Muzz, which was founded in 2011, 400,000 couples have married after meeting on the dating app, which offers free and paid memberships. “The heart of the app is empowering young Muslims to find a partner in their own right, but doing it in a way that respects their faith, culture, traditions and family,” Shahzad Younas, the founder of Muzz, said.
Sameer Yasir, The New York Times, June 13, 2023
Tens of thousands of Indian women have been abandoned by husbands working abroad, according to government officials and activists, trapping many of them in their in-laws’ homes in accordance with local social customs, even for decades. Some women who have been left behind by husbands are victims of the unfulfilled promises of changing circumstances. Others, however, have been subjected to outright deceit, their families defrauded of dowries, honeymoon expenses and visa payments. There are few specific legal remedies available to women whose husbands flee, and pursuing the men under more general laws can be difficult if they are abroad.
Aly J. Yale, USNews, June 16, 2023
Divorce is complicated in any scenario. But if you own a house together, it gets even more complex – and emotional. Unless there’s a prenuptial agreement in place, you will probably have to make some hard decisions as to what will become of the home, as well as who will live there and who will pay for it.