 Main Culture Divorce Extended Families Controlling Husbands Being in a new country  |
Despite the fact that South Asian people are living in western countries, beliefs around divorce are the same as of South Asians living in their native lands. �Divorce is a social taboo and is unthinkable for many women� (Naresh, 1996). Due to this social stigma attached to divorce, women are frightened that if they chose to leave their husbands, they will not be accepted anywhere else in the community (Naresh, 1996). Many elders in this community still think that a �good woman is better dead than divorced�. South Asian community also believes that if a woman has failed in her marriage, she has failed in her community as well (Dosanjh et al, 1994). Leaving an abusive marriage to return home no matter what the circumstances are, often results in social stigma for the woman and her family, and leaves her with few hopes for re-marriage as well (Naresh, 1996). If these women are in a foreign land, without a credit history, education, or work experience, there are very few doors open for them if they decide on leaving abusive relationships alone (Naresh, 1996). Due to unfavourable and limited options after a divorce, these women often choose to passively remain on living in violent relationships.  Dosanjh, R., Deo, S., Sidhu, S. (1994). Spousal Abuse in the South Asian Naresh, H. (1996). Domestic Violence. Retrieved March. 3, 2003 from  This web site is designed by Harveer Sihota and Beant Grewal, April 2003
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