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Hinduism: Marriage and the Family

Hindu attitudes to divorce and remarriage

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

The Manusmriti on ending a marriage, the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and its 1976 amendment, grounds for divorce today, arguments for and against, family pressure, remarriage, and Humanist and situation-ethics views.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why is divorce traditionally discouraged in Hinduism?

Key term

What did the Manusmriti teach about ending a marriage?

Numbers

What did the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 introduce in India?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Why is divorce traditionally discouraged in Hinduism?

    Model answer

    Marriage is a sacred samskara made before the sacred fire. Many Hindus believe the bond lasts for seven lifetimes.

  2. 2

    What did the Manusmriti teach about ending a marriage?

    Model answer

    The Manusmriti says a wife is not released from her husband by sale or by rejection. Classical Hindu law made no general provision for divorce.

  3. 3

    What did the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 introduce in India?

    Model answer

    The Hindu Marriage Act 1955 allowed Hindus in India to divorce by law. The Act also made monogamy compulsory.

  4. 4

    Give two grounds for divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 as it stands today.

    Model answer

    Two grounds are adultery and cruelty, the second added by the 1976 amendment. Desertion for two years and conversion to another religion are also grounds.

  5. 5

    What did the 1976 amendment add to the Hindu Marriage Act?

    Model answer

    The 1976 amendment added divorce by mutual consent. The couple must first have lived apart for at least a year.

  6. 6

    What arguments do Hindus give against divorce?

    Model answer

    Divorce breaks sacred vows made before God and the fire. Divorce harms children and can bring shame on both families.

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