The divorce scene in Singapore is not pretty. While the total number of divorces and annulments fell slightly from 7,578 in 2017 to 7,344 last year, those who wed more recently are divorcing in greater numbers than those whose tied the knot in earlier periods. By the 10th year of marriage, 17 per cent of those who married in 2005 had had their marriages dissolved, up from 12.2 per cent for those wed in 1995. These statistics shine uncomfortable light on the state of marriage here. It would be natural to bemoan them. However, a more productive approach would lie in coming to grips with the implications of divorce for families, particularly children who suffer the most when their parents part ways.
The latest initiative to address the painful reality of divorce focuses on the role of Family Court judges. They are likely to get more power to act in divorce disputes to prevent conflicts from dragging on and inflicting more hurt on the children involved. The Family Justice Courts are also planning to employ more means, which could include ordering a parent to place a security bond or undergo therapy to address the root cause of acrimony. The aim is to get parents to comply with court access orders that give former spouses time with their children after a divorce. These are two key recommendations made by the Committee to Review and Enhance Reforms in the Family Justice System last week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Read the full story and more at $9.90/month
Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month
ST One Digital
$9.90/month
No contract
ST app access on 1 mobile device
Unlock these benefits
All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com
Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device
E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you