Marital Dissolution in South Asia: Empirical Tests of New Theoretical Frameworks.

Abstract

This dissertation examines causes of marital dissolution in a South Asian setting. Marital dissolution has historically been uncommon in South Asia, but there is evidence that it is increasing in prevalence. However, empirical investigations of marital dissolution in South Asian settings have been limited. We have acquired a great deal of knowledge about the causes of marital dissolution in Western settings, but differences in family life in South Asia compared to the West suggest that the causes of marital dissolution may also be dissimilar in the two settings. This dissertation addresses the gap in knowledge of the causes of marital dissolution outside of Western settings by investigating the phenomenon in the rural, agrarian setting of Nepal.

Results from the following three papers offer new insights into the process of marital dissolution. First, the predictors of marital dissolution in Nepal are similar to the United States. Namely, age at marriage, wives’ work experience, and marital fertility are found to have strong influences on couples’ odds of dissolution. Second, both spouses’ perceptions of discord increase their odds of dissolution, even in this setting where women face many disadvantages relative to men. In fact, wives’ perceptions of discord have an influence that is independent of their husbands’ perceptions. Third, marital fertility has important and unique influences on dissolution in this setting. Having at least one child, having additional children (up to three), and having younger children suppress the odds of dissolution. On the other hand, a daughter can exert a negative influence on their parents’ odds of dissolution, but only when they do not have siblings.

This dissertation expands understanding of the process of marital dissolution, developing a new theoretical framework for studying the process across settings that are socially, culturally, and religiously different. Future directions for this line of research point toward the incorporation of theories that account for setting-specific gender and marital dynamics. Furthermore, the collection of more comprehensive longitudinal data and the collection of time use data from couples—especially those with children—is necessary for expanding our understanding of the mechanisms behind marital dissolution.