Divorce rate falls, but reasons unclear By Klao Bell, Staff Reporter Jamaica's divorce rate is falling, but the decline may not mean married couples are living happily ever after, rather that they and the legal system are slow to end troubled unions officially. According to the 2000 Demographic Statistics, published by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 1,106 divorces were granted in 2000 - down from 1,131 in 1999. Statistics also show that the rate has been falling marginally over the last nine years, with increases occurring in 1996 and 1998 only. But the reasons for the decline could be that couples are choosing to separate rather than endure the costly divorce exercise, observers, including lawyers and counsellors, argue. Also, they said, the lower rate may be a reflection of the pace at which the Supreme Court processes divorce cases or that people are more prepared for marriage. "Some people separate without going through with the divorce because of the expense which can range anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the complexity of the cases," said Derek Jones, past president of the Jamaica Bar Association. The Legal Aid Clinic facilitates divorces at a minimum cost of $10,000. But one man, who was married for five years but whose divorce has been dragging on for more than three years, said he has spent "hundreds of thousands of dollars on lawyers' fees because we are contesting about the matrimonial assets." Thirty-eight year oldAndre Bonner, who was divorced six years ago, didn't contest the matter when his wife filed for divorce. He let her "take the apartment because I didn't want to deal with those legal fees." Before that they were separated for more than two years. Dr. Barry Davidson, family psychologist and executive director of the Family Life Ministries said that Jamaicans "are more open to separation than they are to divorce, partly because of the cost emotionally and financially." However, Dr. Davidson said the decreasing divorce rates may be an indication that people are more prepared for marriage. "In recent times more couples have been seeking premarital counselling and when there are difficulties in marriage, they are more open to seeking help," he said. "Divorce is usually the last resort and those seeking counselling for marriage difficulty have increased over the last six years." He pointed, however, to the consistently high rate of divorce among people who have been married for more than 26 years, attributing this to "empty nest syndrome". "In Jamaica it is often the children who keep marriages together and when the children are gone there is nothing to hold on to as they have not been building and working on the relationship," Dr. Davidson said. However, Helen Birch of the law firm Delroy Chuck and Company, said that the decline may be a reflection of the pace at which the Supreme Court is able to deal with the matters. "Two years ago the Supreme Court extended the days for hearing cases from Monday to Thursday to Monday to Friday. But I don't think the rate at which divorces are being granted is on par with the number of requests being made. I don't think there is a decrease in the number of cases that are being filed," Ms. Birch said. Between January and April, 1,042 requests were made to the Supreme Court on behalf of people wanting to be divorced, while 688 divorces were granted during the same period. The Supreme Court hears 50 to 60 divorce cases weekly. In 2000, 140 persons who have been married for more than 26 years were divorced. This group has the highest number of divorces while those who have been married two years and under has the least. The Demographic Statistics also shows high divorce rates, among people who have been married for 10 to 15 years. Name changed on request.
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