Divorce practices of Muslim families in Southern Philippines : a multiple case study

Abstract

Parental separation and divorce can lead to changes in family structure from a two biological parent family, to lone parent, to stepfamily status, and repeated family transitions increasing the risk of negative child outcomes. Although divorce is permissible in Islam, it lays great emphasis on its being a concession and measure that must be resorted to only when there is no alternative. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study is to describe the experiences of Muslim Families in Southern Philippines in Islamic Divorce. In this study, divorce practices were explained in detail to acquire a comprehensive understanding of how the Islamic law of divorce functions. This also describes how the couple arrived at their decision of having divorce. Results revealed that introspection and contemplation, consultation with family members, decision to divorce, Iddah, and processing the divorce were the divorce practices. Determination, avoidance and redirection, settling issues with children and counting on support mechanisms were the coping mechanisms. Divorce should be avoided, divorce requires careful and thorough deliberation, collateral damage is on the child and there is life after divorce were the insights learned.

Keywords: social work, advance social work practice, divorce practices, Muslim families, multiple case study, Philippines