Govt, religious and social leaders need to heal the country

When outsiders visit South Africa – or when South Africans return after significant time abroad – many remark that we seem to be a very angry country.

We are beset with violent crime, violent race relations and violent gender interactions.

So, it is not surprising that divorce is still a major facet of our society. Although the total number of divorces is in decline, according to a report by Statistics SA, it is still a cause for concern. In 2016, there were 25 326 divorces – a significant drop in the overall number from 31 566 in 2003.

That may seem like a bit of positive news – but the figures must be put up against another trend identified in the StatsSA report … that the number of people tying the knot is declining. In 2008, marriages hit a high point of 186 522, but in 2016 (the latest year for which figures were available), there were just under 140 000 marriages.

These are worrying figures – and not from a religious or moral standpoint – because stability in the marriage and family is often a good indicator of a stable and psychologically healthy community. We are neither.

It is interesting that most divorces are now being initiated by women. This could be an indication that women feel more liberated and independent and not trapped by the belief they have to be married to a man to be happy, or merely to survive financially. It could also be that, as the evil of gender-based violence gets more exposure, women feel emboldened to leave abusive relationships.

It’s also possible that the anger and instability all around us has reduced trust in traditional institutions such as marriage.

Altogether, this shows that our government and our religious and social leaders still have a lot to do in healing our land.

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