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I propose to conduct a survey on the topic Is female independence the main reason
behind the increasing number of divorce rate? This survey will be in context of
Bangladesh.
The rate of divorce is rising due to increased female independence. High rate of divorce
and social status has changed the scenario. Womens position is getting stronger both
financially and emotionally. Now they are more conscious about their rights, education
and job facilities are giving more independence these days. Women's work outside the
home" has brought about a revolutionary change in the overall social outlook. They now
This overall change in womens roles is leading to an increase in divorce rate due to
There is a strong correlation between divorce rates and married women's involvement in
the work force. Married women's increased participation in the work force may have
many consequences. Some of the consequences that result from married women working
are that there is less time spent at home, less time of interaction with family, and
changing goals for the future. These consequences may negatively affect the marital
relationship and contribute to the increasing divorce rates because some people may be
reluctant to adapt their traditional beliefs about the roles they think men and women
should perform.
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More recently, changes in economic conditions, social norms, and in values (such as an
an increase in married women's involvement in the work force. Also large societal
Again, all the traditional ideas about women working that are still present can directly
affect the marital relationship. Many consequences follow from increased involvement of
married women in the labor force, but the reason these consequences effect the family in
a negative way is because the role of women has changed but traditional ideas about the
role of women has not changed at an equally rapid pace. Many men still prefer a
traditional marriage in which the husband is dominant and the wife play a supportive role
by taking care of children, house and other family members. Typically, men who have
difficulties with their wives working may be men who have been socialized to accept
traditionally defined gender roles. Thus, for men, when the roles shift and values do not,
Considering current trends in divorce rates and the increase in married women's
employment are likely to continue, and understanding of their linkage may facilitate
amelioration of any further negative consequences and propel future adaptation and
understanding between the couples. So, in my research paper I want to find out why
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BACKGROUND
Number of divorce is increasing significantly in Bangladesh and the trend has been
steady for the last two decades. Divorce is something that has become a dramatically
more common event in our society. Women are getting better education and job
opportunities and hence are gaining more confidence to stand out. They no longer want to
depend solely on men, freedom of choice and speech helps them fight male dominance.
They are getting more financial freedom which they could not enjoy even from husbands
contribution. There is an overall change in social outlook towards the concept of marriage
relationships adversely. There is an assumption that married women were not committed
to working and only did it to supplement her husband's income. However, the 1970s and
1980s showed a change in attitude about women, work, and family, especially regarding
the acceptance of wives working. It is expected that women's labor force participation
will remain high. Keeping a marriage relationship intact is both the partners
the husbands who are considered the head of the family. Now due to increased social
awareness women are getting conscious and exposed to claiming equal rights. Financially
women are in a better position and this gives them the incentive to speak up against any
odds. Unfortunately, too much independence is making them overambitious and reluctant
to compromise and family values are being side tracked which is affecting marriage
relationships. Even if women are managing both family and work responsibilities side by
side it is the men who are not being able to cope up with the upcoming role of women as
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Society's cavalier attitude towards marriage and divorce is not a positive phenomenon
and has perpetuated a cycle of failed marriages and a lengthy list of associated social
problems detrimental to children and to adults. Divorce is not a solo act, nor is it a
victimless phenomenon. There is no debate that divorce has brought enormous physical,
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AREA OF RESEARCH
My research paper mainly focuses on what percentage of men are happy to marry a
workingwomen, why a men do not want his wife to work outside and what the
workingwomen think about this and also whether the female independence is the main
What percentages of men are married to house wives and their divorce rate?
What are the problems that workingwomen face in their family life?
a men getting married to a women who has started to work after her marriage?
What percentages of men are married to housewives and their divorce rate?
I am focusing on this area because I want to find out the percentage of men that are
married to housewives, in order to discover whether they are happy with their wives or
are facing problems. I also want to figure out whether the housewives are taking good
care of their families, children, and maintaining good relationship with other relatives. If
the housewives want to work outside will the men support them or will they force them to
stay at home with their families. Overall, I want to locate the percentage of men that are
married with house wives are they happy with their choices and also the percentage of the
divorce rate of the men who are married to housewives. For this, I will conduct a survey
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on men who are married to housewives. Here, I am also focusing on why a man does not
I want to do research on this area because I want to find out the percentage of men that
are married to workingwomen in order to find out whether they are happy or their choice
is making their life miserable. The women that are working outside, will it be possible for
them to make their husbands, family and other relatives satisfied with their incomes. I
also want to figure out why the women are given the chance to work outside although it
I want to discover why the men support their working wives and also the men who or not
support or coordinate with their wives. Overall, I want to find out whether the preference
of working wives, as a life partner is beneficial or not and also whether it is creating any
What are the problems that workingwomen face in their family life?
I want to find out people who are married to workingwomen do they have their each
others support. Do they have understanding in running the family or not. Do the wives
help their family with their earned money or not. Do they have time for each other or not.
Do they have to quarrel or not. Are their children growing up well or not? Do the
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Here, I am focusing on the percentage of workingwomen who are getting divorce due to
their professional life. Which part of their professional life is mainly responsible for their
divorce and what is the main conflict with her husband. I want to find out this from my
I want to find out that whether female independence is the main reason behind the
increasing divorce rate or there are other reasons. Sometimes people think that the
women is working she is independents so; she is responsible for her divorce. Here I want
to find out whether this idea is true or false. To discover this I have conducted a survey,
Where the divorce rate is higher- a men getting married to workingwomen or a men
getting married to a women who has started to work after her marriage?
Finally, I want to focus on where the divorce rate is higher. When a men married to a
workingwomen or when the woman starts to work after her marriage life and the
mentality of man about his working wife. In these case whether the female independence
is only responsible for the divorce. From my three target group I find out that. Here I will
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HYPOTHESIS
I think in todays world most women in our country want to work. Many of them are also
working outside. Womens position is getting stronger day by day. Women now want
equal rights in the society and in the family. But, a man does not want to give equal rights
to a woman. These things make difficulties and conflicts in married life which are mostly
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METHODOLOGY
For my research paper, I carried out a survey of a representative sample of thirty men and
Married workingwomen.
Primary Data
Survey: Three target groups were there. Sample size for each target group was fifteen.
effect on marriage relationships. The main objective was to evaluate peoples opinions
change, divorce laws and social outlook were focused in the questions.
included a married couple and a divorced woman who is currently enrolled in high
official post.
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Secondary Data
Magazines and paper articles: Magazine and paper articles were mainly selected from
female magazines which focused on rise in womens participation in office work and its
supported the fact that financial freedom is a key factor. It allows wives the freedom
which they could not have even with generous allowance from their husbands. It boosts
them to higher level of expectation and thats when the conflict comes. Men most of the
time can not put up with this over ambitious attitude of women and this leads to
separation or divorce.
Web sites: I have also gone through different websites to find out whether female
independence is the main reason behind divorce rate and different peoples opinion about
this matter.
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DATA PRESENTATION
In this part of my research paper, I am going to present the data that I have collected from
my survey. Following are the data that I have collected from surveying my target group -
Sample Size: 15
Answer
No. of a b c d
Questio
n
1 4 4 4 3
2 2 4 5 4
3 7 4 2 2
4 1 5 5 4
5 5 3 3 4
6 7 4 2 2
7 6 3 2 4
8 3 0 12 0
9 4 3 2 6
10 4 6 2 3
Caption: This table represents the survey results of men married to workingwomen.
Following are the data that I have collected from surveying my target group - Married
workingwomen.
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Target group Married workingwomen
Sample Size: 15
Answer
No. of a b c d
Questio
n
1 4 5 6 ..
2 7 6 2 ..
3 5 3 4 3
4 9 2 3 1
5 2 4 9 ..
6 8 2 5 ..
7 2 4 9 ..
Following are the data that I have collected from surveying my target group Men
married to housewives.
Sample Size: 15
Answer
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No. of a b c d
Questio
n
1 6 4 5 ..
2 2 5 3 5
3 3 4 6 2
4 4 2 6 3
5 8 1 4 2
6 4 2 3 6
7 6 3 2 4
Caption: This table represents the survey results of men married to housewives.
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GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATIONS & DATA ANALYSIS
Following are some of the graphical representation and analysis of the data that I have
Question # 3
Are you facing any kind of problem with her professional life?
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In order to find out what percentage of men are facing problems with their wifes
professional life, this question was asked to the men who are married to workingwomen.
It was found that 47% men are facing problems as the wife spends too much time at her
office and these percentages of men were unhappy with their wifes professional life.
27% of men say that they are facing problems but they support their wife. These
percentages of men are happy with the wifes professional life. On the other hand 13% of
men say that are not facing any problems because the wife gives enough time. Another
13% say that as they cannot give enough time to the wife, they are happy that the wife is
From here I have found that, maximum men are unhappy with the wifes professional
life. Very few men feel proud about his wifes professional life.
Question # 7
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In order to find out does the men married to workingwomen support their wives this
question was asked. It was found that 40% men support their wives, as she is a source of
income, 20% does not support their wives but as she prefers do so, therefore, they do not
argue with that. The remaining 26% support their wives because she not only helps them
financially but in many other ways like giving decision, making decision and etc. The
remaining 14% do not support their wife because they think that the wife will know more
but in other ways From here I have found that, the maximum number of men just
supports their wife only because the wife helps them financially. Another percentage
support because the wife not only help them financially also. Again, a another percentage
of men do not support their wife because they think if the wife work outside she will be
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Question # 8
In this question I asked men married to workingwomen that, who bears the family
expenses.80% of men say that they share the responsibility with their wife. 20% of men
So, from this question I discovered that, maximum men share the family expenses with
wife and they want a working woman as a wife, where as only 20% men do not share,
that means may be they do not want to spend wifes money or may be they do not like
workingwomen.
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Question # 10
In order to find out why men want dowry this question was asked to men married 50% of
the men say that its hurt their self respect. Another 30% men agreed that their wife help
them financially. 20%say that they some extent. 13% of men say that they want their wife
to work because the wife will have self respect. But 20 % of the men say that hey do not
From this survey I have found that maximum men want workingwomen because their
wife will help them financially. Very few men want their wife to work to become self
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So, from the questions asked to the men married to the workingwomen I have found that
maximum percentage of men want a working woman as the wife will help them
financially. Very few men think that to work and to become established are their right.
Some men even do not want their wife to work just because they will know more about
their right. Another percentage of men just support their wife only because the wife wants
it. Very few men support their wifes professional life and give importance as they think
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Following are some of the graphical representation and analysis of the data that I have
Question # 1
This question was asked to the workingwomen who are married also. The question was
about which think they prefer most, career or their family. 40% women say that they
prefer both family and career. 33% say that career is more important than another thing.
So, for this I have found that to maximum women both family and career are important.
Some women just think that career is more important. These parts of women are
maximum time busy with their profession. Another part of women think that only family
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Question # 2
Do you think that you would have got better working opportunities if you were free
from marriage or any other family relations?
While answering this question 46% of the married workingwomen say that they want to
be free from these types of relations. 40% of the women say that they do not want this
because then there will be no adventure in their life. 14% of women to some extent think
From this I have found that maximum women think that family or other responsibilities
are simply barrier for career. Some women want these relations as well as the career. And
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Question # 4
This question was asked to the married workingwomen that whether they are heavily
financially dependent on each other. 60% of the married workingwomen say that they
share the financial load with their husbands. 20% of the women say that she alone is
taking the whole financial load. 14% women say that their husband do not want to share
the financial load with them. Where as, only 6% women say that they keep their salary in
From the conducted survey I found that, maximum percentage of women wants to share
the financial load with the husband. They want to contribute some thing to the family and
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the husbands also support them. Very few women do not want to contribute anything to
the family. Again, some men also do not want the wifes money to run the family.
So, from the survey which is done on married workingwomen I have found that, women
now a-days has become more conscious about their profession. Maximum women want
to become a good wife and also a good working woman. They want to be perfect women.
They want to share the financial load with the husband and want to contribute something
to the family. Some women want to be free from these types of relationships. They want
to be more professional. Some times men who are married to these type of women
compromises or support their wife. However, maximum time the men do not do so and
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Following are some of the graphical representation and analysis of the data that I have
Question # 1
In order to why men do not want their wife to work outside this question was asked to the
men who are married to housewives. The question was about do men think that divorce
rate is increasing due to female independence. 40% of the men say that female
independence is the main reason behind the increasing number of divorce rate.33% men
says that to some extent they think that this is true. But only the remaining 27% think that
So, maximum number of men married to the housewives thinks that female independence
is the main reason behind the increasing number of divorce rate .So; they do not want a
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Question # 3
This question was asked to the men married to the housewives to know why they do not
want their wife to be a working woman. 60% of the men say that both the husband and
wife do not want that. 27% of the men say that they want the wife to work but the wife do
not want it. 20% of the men say that the wife wants to work but they will not allow that.
The remaining 13% say that the wife wants to work but the family will not allow that
one.
So, in this case the wives are not working because both the husband and the wife do not
want that. Another percentage of men want their wife to work but the wife does not want
that. Very few men do not want their wife as a workingwoman. They want their wife to
work.
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Question # 7
Do you think if your wife starts working it will have any influence in your family?
In order to find out whether it will create any problem is the wives starts to work this
question was asked to the men marred to the workingwomen. 40% of the men say that it
will create a problem if their wives start to work outside. The second highest percentages
say that it will not create any problem but the wife is not interested. 20% of the men say
that it will create problem but the family can manage it. But only 13% of the men say that
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That means, in maximum cases both husband and wife do not want that the wife as a
working woman. Very few men want their wife as a working woman. In these cases
women also do not want to work outside. They only want to take care of the family.
By conducting the survey in this target group I have found that, in maximum case both
the husband and wife do not want the wife to work. Maximum percentages of the wives
also prefer to stay at the home and do the household works and take care of the family.
Very few women want to work but their husbands do not allow that. The problem is with
these percentages of men. They do not want their wife as a workingwomen but the wife
want to work. In these cases female independence becomes the main issue.
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LIMITATIONS
It was projected that more magazines and printed materials would be consulted for the
The size of the sample was also a limitation. As the sample size is small there is a chance
of more error. Due to the sample, size of the result may vary from the original answer
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CONCLUSION
There has been a considerable increase in divorce rate in the past few years. Experts say
enhances individualization which imbalances the traditional ideas of marriage and related
for divorce. Womens working connection is making them more careers oriented, they
become too engrossed in official attachment, which sometimes hampers marriage and
family relationships. Not all women are moving towards workingwomen status and not
all workingwomen are facing divorce problem but it is creating a huge difference in the
overall social outlook towards the concept of divorce. Feminists argue that women have
more to gain from divorce than staying in oppressive marriages. Economic independence
and grater equality at work, improved birth control and smaller families, higher
expectations of marital relationships, and the isolation of the nuclear family are all seen
is supposed that one-third of all marriages are likely to end in divorce. The survey
concluded that many people think that divorce is a good solution to marriage problems
The changing roles of married women working produce many consequences to affect the
marital relationship because men's and women's ideas about traditional gender roles have
not changed as rapidly as the roles themselves. This disproportionate change in roles and
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
5. http://www.bjreview.com.cn/200445/Forum-200445.htm
6. http://www.isnie.org/ISNIE98/Binner-Dnes.doc
7. http://www.gender.go.jp/english_contents/e01.html
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