Electronic gadgets, social media blamed for high divorce rates in Malaysia
THE STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: The use of electronic gadgets and social media, especially among the younger generation, is said to be a contributing factor to divorce.
Dean of the Education Faculty, Universiti Malaya Associate Professor Dr Mariani Mohd Nor said applications like WhatsApp have become a platform for young couples to express their anger during domestic conflicts.
"WhatsApp helps to forge closer ties among family members, but it has been abused, especially by the young generation.
"When they express anger by sending messages in WhatsApp, it can give a different perception and intonation from what is actually intended by the sender," she added.
She was commenting on a Kosmo report two days ago on the divorce rate among Muslim couples, which was worrying with more than 274,000 divorce cases reported nationwide in six years.
Statistics by the Malaysian Syariah Judicial Department showed 38,035 couples were divorced between January and August last year, indicating that an average of 156 Muslim couples were divorced daily.
According to the newspaper, the factors leading to the divorce were irreconcilable differences, infidelity, family interference and financial problem.
Dr Mariani, who is a psychologist, said there was also a tendency for WhatsApp users to cheat on their partners by befriending others.
"The use of social media like Facebook and Instagram can also affect relations among married couples because of their insensitivity with the posting of unsuitable photographs and status," she added.
She said married couples facing domestic conflict should discuss their problems and seek counselling.
Associate Professor Dr Saedah Abdul Ghani, a part-time lecturer at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, said the module for pre-marriage courses that couples were required to attend had to be reviewed to meet changing times.
She said the course should emphasise aspects on marriage psychology, as well as skills to address domestic conflict and suggested institutions of higher learning to offer studies relating to family and marriage counselling.
A registered counsellor, Associate Professor Dr Mohamed Fadzil Che Din, of the National Defence University, Malaysia, said married couples should realise that divorce could affect their children and family, and also their career.
"They should know about effective communication, like managing conflict, handling crisis and family psychology," he added. - Bernama
