Bihu Chamadia, Research Intern, ICS
China announced a nationwide lockdown on January 23 to combat the Coronavirus outbreak. As soon as there was a visible decline in the number of reported cases of COVID-19 in China, the rules of lockdown were eased and many government offices started to function normally. While China tries to pull itself out of the pandemic, there has been another outbreak in the country: the rising cases of divorces.
After the government started lifting the lockdown in late February, marriage registration offices of various districts started receiving high number of divorce cases. The offices of many districts in Xi’an city of Shaanxi province received a record number of divorce cases. According to local Chinese sources, the incoming divorce cases in the marriage registration office in Yanta district in the city of Xi’an had surged to the point where the marriage registration office did not have vacancy till 18 March this year. The situation was similar in other parts of China including Beijing, Shanghai, Yunnan and Sichuan.
Even though an increase in divorce cases is a common trend in China after the Spring Break, according to a report in Global Times, compared to the same period last year, there has been a surge in the number of divorce cases this year. In Tongzhou district in Sichuan Province, the Civil Affairs office received 232 cases from late February till end March, while the number of divorce cases registered last year during the same period was 180.
Marriage as a social institution in China has been facing serious challenges since many years. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, there has been a significant hike in the rate of divorce since the reform and opening up era. But this trend witnessed a steep rise after the liberalisation of Marriage Law in 2003. Once considered a taboo, even the number of divorce cases doubled in the past one decade. In 2010, the total number of divorces in China stood at 1.96 million which has more than doubled recently. Recent figures mentioned by Ministry of Civil Affairs, shows that it stood at more than 4 million in 2019.
The closing down of factories during the lockdown which had led to the laying off of workers and a dip in household income, was one of the primary factors that contributed to rising tensions between married couples during this period. Moreover, the gendered nature of household chores, where it was socially accepted that men who worked outside the household did not have time to lend a helping hand for household chores, was effectively busted during the lockdown when work happened from home; household work was still managed by the female partner during the lockdown. Women had to shoulder the entire burden of household duties including grocery-shopping and taking care of children with little to no help from her male counterpart. While these issues existed earlier, the lockdown period witnessed an overlapping of mental pressure along with problems such as inequality, gendering in roles and stereotyping of work which eventually accelerated divorce cases after the lockdown was lifted.
Infidelity was another major reason for divorce among married couples. The changes in the Marriage Law in 2003 allowed wives the right to divorce if the husband was abusive or had an extramarital affair. Many cases of infidelity were uncovered during the lockdown which otherwise would have remained under the veil during normal conditions. According to a 2016 report in Global Times, on an average 75% of the divorce cases filed are due to infidelity. In a speech made of 6 November 2019, Zhou Qiang, the Chief Justice of China’s Supreme People’s Court mentioned 74% of the total divorce filed between 2016-2017, were initiated by women.
While issues such as infidelity, financial issues and non-sharing of household burden have been the most common reasons for divorce in China, the lockdown aggravated these issues and exacerbated tensions between couples, and even led to a spike in cases of domestic violence. Divorce lawyers, in particular, have noted an increase in cases related to divorce and pointed that problems which would have earlier been a cause of little strife in the household were now leading to divorces due to an increase in interaction between couples during this period.
A combination of better socio-economic status leading to new aspirations, increasing tolerance among the masses towards divorce have influenced this trend. But most importantly, the liberalization of the marriage laws in 2003 played a significant role in the rise in divorce cases in China. Changes in the marriage laws in 1981 and 2001 led to a gradual increase in the number of divorce over the years but it was after the amendments in the Marriage Law in 2003 such as lower cost of filing divorce, faster pace of granting divorce and non-requirement of employer’s approval for filing a divorce which made it easier for women to seek divorce leading to the number of divorce in China rise exponentially after 2003 (see graph below).
Parallel to these developments was the rising average income of the female population in China since the reform and opening up. As average female income rose, the number of divorces also began rising. Earlier, job stability and owning a house were enough for a woman to ‘settle down’ but as women become increasingly educated and financially independent, their expectations also expanded. They no longer accepted to live in an abusive marriage or marriages where there was no compatibility. Moreover, while in the past, custody of the child was often given to the ex-husband after divorce and the wife was ostracized and faced difficulty finding a job – a major deterrence for women to seek divorce- this has changed today due to change in the level of income of women in China. Therefore, an already rising trend in the number of divorce cases witnessed an acceleration during the lockdown period when couples were forced to live together.
Although revoked, the demographic shifts caused by the One-Child policy is now causing a ripple effect both on China’s economy as well as the society. A rapidly ageing population and a fall in the average age of workforce have become a major concern for the central government as it grapples with lower birth rates and shortage in cheap labour. In 2019, China’s birth rate fell to its lowest in seven decades causing massive concern of the CCP. China’s population dwindles and the rate of marriage also goes down, the Chinese government fears that the number of workforce, taxpayers and consumers will also witness a steep fall.
The growing concern of the government towards rising divorce cases is reflected in the measures taken to address to issue such as free counselling for couples and the introduction of a “cooling off” period to slow down the divorce rate. While earlier it was adopted only by a few local courts, recently, the 13th National People’s Congress that took place in May 2020, voted in favour of adopting ‘cooling off’ as a part of China’s first ever Civil Code. This has caused a massive outrage among the Chinese population where the Party has been accused of abandoning progressive ideas of promoting gender equality. On the other hand, family planning policy which, in 2016, was amended to allow married couples to bear two children has been absent from the 2018 Civil Code draft. This has led to speculations of government further easing the restrictions on family planning or scrapping the bar altogether on the number of children a married couple could bear.
Despite government efforts to prevent any fissures in the institution, and its push to preserve “traditional values” for a stable and “harmonious society”, divorce cases in China continue to rise. The Covid pandemic has only acted as a catalyst that has unravelled the pre-existing fractures in the society and economy. Rising costs of social pension and shortage in supply of cheap labour have created a huge burden on the falling GDP of the country. As demographers warn that China’s population will begin to shrink in the next decade derailing China’s economy with far-reaching global impact, the need to preserve the institution of marriage has become even more important. The recent adoption of the Civil Code where marriage takes up considerable space in the text of the Code exhibit the gravity the case of rising divorces pose for Beijing.
Calcular seguro todo riesgo vehiculo Tipos de seguros para autos Cuanto cuesta un seguro de coche Autos de seguro Poliza contra todo riesgo vehiculos Precio seguro auto https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/la-vergne-tn/ Compra seguros Autos de seguro Asesor seguros
Aseguradoras seguros Seguro de auto la caja Seguro coche 1 mes Mejores seguros de coche Aseguradoras de vehiculos Calcular valor seguro automotor Carros aseguradora Cotizar seguro online Buscador seguros auto Cotizar seguro https://segurodeautoenusa.space/wenatchee-wa/ Seguro de auto Aseguranzas baratas para autos Seguro automotor Vehiculo seguro Mejores aseguradoras
Que es el premio en un seguro automotor Cotizacion de seguros automotrices Seguro automotor precios Seguros de automovil baratos Seguros contra todo riesgo para vehiculos precios Tipos de seguros para vehiculos Seguros de furgonetas baratos Tipos de coberturas de seguros para autos Precio seguro coche https://segurodeautoenusa.space/seguin-tx/ Cotizar seguro todo riesgo carro La caja de ahorro y seguros automotor
Contratar seguro automotriz Venta de seguros para autos Que son las entidades aseguradoras Seguro automotor precios Seguro carro usa Correduria seguros La caja aseguradora de autos Cotizar poliza de seguro Seguro obligatorio para autos Seguros de motos economicos https://segurodecocheenusa.store/anaheim-ca/ Calcular seguro todo riesgo La mejor aseguradora
Seguro coche todo riesgo Seguros para vehiculos precios Como cotizar un seguro de auto Aseguransas para carro Venta de seguros para autos Tabulador de seguros de autos Poliza de seguro de auto Precio seguro furgoneta Seguros para automoviles baratos https://segurodecocheenusa.store/callaway-fl/ Tipos de seguro de automovil Mejor aseguradora de coches Como averiguar el seguro de un auto Aseguranza de auto Cual es el mejor seguro de coche
Seguro responsabilidad civil automotor precio Lista de aseguradoras de autos Poliza de seguro vehicular Autoseguros Seguro coche a terceros Consulta de seguro automotor Nombres de aseguradoras Aseguradoras para autos https://segurodecarroenusa.store/pinellas-park-fl/ Aseguranza de autos Agencia aseguradora Entidades de seguros
Comparador de seguros coche online Tabulador de seguros de autos Cotizar seguro de autos Seguro obligatorio moto Tabla de seguros de autos https://segurodecarroenusa.store/destin-fl/ Cuanto vale el seguro de un carro Hacer seguro coche online Seguro de automovel
Mejores coberturas seguro coche Mejores seguros de coche Seguro automotriz Seguros baratos para carros Buscador de seguros de coche https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/north-st.-paul-mn/ Que cubre un seguro de auto Seguro online Marcas de seguros para autos
Aseguranza de autos Tu auto seguro Seguros de autos en estados unidos Agencia de seguros para autos Seguro de coche basico Contrato de responsabilidad civil automotor Companias de seguros de automoviles Seguros automotriz https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/punta-gorda-fl/ Seguros para motos baratos Aseguradoras americanas Listado de ramos de seguros
Seguradora de veiculos Correduria de seguros Seguros de carros economicos Asegurar vehiculo Buscador de seguros de coche Aseguradoras coche Precios de aseguradoras de autos Compra seguros Que cubre un seguro de auto Cotizacion de seguros automotrices https://segurodeautoenusa.space/picayune-ms/ Calcular presupuesto seguro coche Cotizar seguro todo riesgo Seguro de carro Mejores aseguradoras coche
Autos economicos de aseguradora Como funciona el seguro del auto Seguros para vehiculos precios Cotizacion automotores Seguro auto por mes https://segurodecocheenusa.store/soledad-ca/ Cotizacion poliza todo riesgo vehiculo Comprar carros de seguros Que seguro es mejor para auto Marcas de seguros de autos
Empresas aseguradoras de autos Cuanto cuesta seguro auto Cotizar carros Poliza de seguro de auto Seguros de coche muy baratos Correduria seguros Tabela de seguro de carros Contratar seguro de auto Comprar seguro auto https://segurodeautoenusa.space/cicero-il/ Seguro coche a terceros Mejores seguros de coche Corredor seguros
Aseguranzas para carros en estados unidos Cotizacion de seguros automotrices Calcular valor seguro auto Companias de seguros de coche Seguro coche Precio de aseguranza full cover Lista de aseguradoras de autos Calcular precio seguro https://segurodeautoenusa.space/sherwood-or/ Cuanto cuesta un seguro para Cuanto cuesta un seguro de coche a terceros Vehiculos de seguros Cotizacion de seguros para autos Busco aseguranza de carro
Marcas de seguros de autos Nombres de aseguradoras Empresas de seguros Calcular el seguro de coche mas barato Constancia para seguro automotriz https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/escanaba-mi/ Que es el premio en un seguro automotor Seguro mas economico para autos Calcular seguro Comprar seguro automotriz
Cotizar seguro de coche Precios de aseguranzas para autos Calcular seguro de coche online Compara seguros Precios de polizas de seguros para vehiculos Contratar seguro automotriz Mejores seguros para autos Cotizar seguro automotriz online Coberturas de seguros de autos Comparativa coberturas seguros coche https://segurodeautoenusa.space/lake-worth-fl/ Cotizacion de seguros para autos Listado de aseguradoras Lista de aseguradoras de autos Mejores aseguradoras coche
Hacer seguro de coche online Que seguro de coche es mejor Las mejores companias de seguros de coche Contratar seguro de auto online Seguro coche barato Seguro de coche mensual Aseguranza coche Aseguranzas baratas https://segurodecocheenusa.store/portage-mi/ Costo seguro vehicular Seguros para carro baratos
Cotizar el seguro de mi auto Mejor precio seguro coche Precio de seguro vehicular todo riesgo Marcas de seguros de autos Aseguranza para carro barata Contrato de seguro de automovil Nombres de seguros de coche Seguros de autos Asegurar carro Seguro auto en linea https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/georgetown-mi/ Cotizar seguro de vehiculo en linea Poliza de seguro carro Seguro coche a terceros Las aseguradoras
Seguro de coche mas barato online Buscar seguro coche barato Seguro de carro precio Comparador se seguros de coche Que seguro de coche es mas barato Seguro full para vehiculos https://segurodeautoenusa.space/lompoc-ca/ Cotizador de seguros la caja Comparador de coberturas de seguros de coche
Buscador seguros automovil Seguro auto por mes Presupuesto seguro coche Precios de seguros de autos contra todo riesgo Seguros de carros economicos Poliza contra terceros Seguro automotor https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/benton-mi/ Cobertura para autos Asegurar mi coche Cotiza tu seguro online Autos de aseguradora baratos Seguros de automoviles cotizacion en linea
Cotizar seguro de coche Contrato de seguro de automovil Aseguradoras para autos Aseguradoras de coche mas baratas Seguro obligatorio para autos Comparador de seguros de automovil https://segurodecarroenusa.store/westfield-in/ Aseguradoras seguros Como cotizar mi auto Liderar seguros automotor
Seguros de coche baratos online Seguros de coche baratos Comparador de seguros de automovil Cotizador de seguros online Asegurar auto Instituciones aseguradoras Calcular seguro coche barato Comparar precios de seguros para autos Seguros para autos Poliza de auto https://segurodeautoenusa.space/farmington-hills-mi/ Seguro vehiculo barato Correduria seguros Seguros de furgonetas baratos online Seguros automotriz Precios de aseguranzas para autos
Seguro contra robo de auto Cotiza tu seguro de auto Cotizacion de seguros para autos online Cuanto pago de seguro automotor Companias de seguros baratas Aseguradoras americanas https://segurodeautoenusa.space/west-monroe-la/ Aseguradoras para autos Cuanto vale un seguro de coche Seguro de automovil Aseguradora de automobiles
Seguro online auto Seguro veicular Asegurar mi coche Buscador de seguros Que es un seguro vehicular Sociedades aseguradoras Seguro auto lider Responsabilidad civil seguro automotor Asegurar auto https://segurodeautoenusa.space/grenada-ms/ Broker seguros Seguro auto Cuanto vale el seguro de un carro
Precios de aseguradoras de autos Seguros contra terceros para autos Mejores companias de seguros Seguros Coste seguro coche Seguros de automovil baratos Seguro de auto usa Precio seguro moto Entidades de seguros Venta de seguros para autos https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/cleveland-ms/ Cuanto vale un seguro de auto Seguros de coche baratos
Seguros de coche baratos para jovenes Aseguradoras para carros Buscar seguros baratos Costo seguro auto Costo de seguro de auto Autoseguros Seguro contra robo de auto https://segurodecarroenusa.store/rocklin-ca/ Precio seguro coche todo riesgo Calcular precio de seguro de coche Superintendencia de seguros automotor
Precio aproximado de un seguro de coche Seguros mensuales para coches Cotiza tu seguro Aseguranza para carro barata Tarjeta de seguro de auto Compra de seguros para autos https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/mountain-home-id/ Seguro responsabilidad civil automotor precio Seguro coche barato jovenes Seguros todo riesgo para vehiculos Aseguranzas baratas
Mejor precio seguro coche Buscador de seguros de coche Calcular seguro de auto Costo de seguro para auto Simulador seguro automotriz Promocion seguro automotriz Calculador de seguros https://segurodecocheenusa.store/front-royal-va/ Seguro automotriz Seguro mas economico para autos Seguro a todo riesgo a precio de terceros Contratar seguro coche por meses Seguro de coche
Autos de aseguradora Calcular seguro auto Seguro automotivo Seguros por meses de coches Franquicia automotor https://segurodecarroenusa.store/tiverton-ri/ Aseguradoras de vehiculos Seguro total para autos Seguros de coche baratos online
Seguros de coche baratos para jovenes Compra de seguros para autos Seguro automotivo Seguro automotor precios Empresa de seguro Precios de seguros de coche a todo riesgo https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/bakersfield-ca/ Seguro contra robo auto Buscador de seguros para coches Cuanto cuesta un seguro para auto Sacar seguro de coche por internet Asegurar carro
Seguros de coche baratos para jovenes Seguros de coche muy baratos Seguros para carros baratos Cotizacion seguro automotriz Calcular seguro auto Lista de seguros Tipos de seguros de autos Promocion seguro automotriz Como cotizar un seguro de auto Asegurar coche https://segurodecarroenusa.store/hobart-in/ Nombres de empresas de seguros Seguros de autos online
Cotizar autos Responsabilidad civil seguro automotor Costos de seguros Seguros de autos en estados unidos Mejor seguro de auto Comparador de seguros online Seguros de automoviles cotizacion en linea Autos deaseguradora Compara seguro automotriz https://segurodeautoenusa.space/mundy-mi/ Seguro de moto online Calcular seguro de auto Precio seguro de coche Asegura tu carro
Seguro para automovil Lista de aseguradoras de autos Que cubre un seguro de auto Nombres de aseguradoras Instituciones aseguradoras Seguros para carros precios Auto seguro Seguros de coche ofertas Caja de ahorro seguros automotor https://segurodecocheenusa.store/moses-lake-wa/ Seguro de carro por un mes Comprar seguro carro
Presupuesto seguro coche Seguros de autos online Seguro coche barato Comparador de seguros de vehiculos Caja de ahorro seguros automotor https://seguroautomotrizenusa.space/sartell-mn/ Simular seguro de auto Seguros de coche economicos Aseguranzas para autos Seguro vehicular precios
Compra seguros Cuanto cuesta seguro auto Cotizar seguro online Automoviles seguros Seguro veicular Calcular seguro todo riesgo https://segurodeautoenusa.space/manassas-va/ Mejor aseguradora de coches Seguro auto economico Seguros para motos baratos Como funciona el seguro de automovil Seguros para vehiculos precios