SOCIO- ECONOMIC CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF DIVORCE ON THE LIVES OF DIVORCED WOMEN: THE CASE OF JARSO DISTRICT, EAST HARARGHE ZONE

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to examine the socioeconomic causes and consequences of divorce on the lives of divorced women in Jarso District, East Hararghe Zone. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The major sources of data were primary and secondary. Primary data were collected from the 285 of divorced spouse. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were also used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select key informants for interviews from concerned office leaders. Recorded files of divorced spouses in the Court and other documents were used as secondary sources. Method of data collection used for data gathering was questionnaires, key informant interviews and FGD. Information obtained from questionnaires was analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics such as frequency; table; chart and mean The findings of the study were indicated that low commitment, loss of love, financial problem, and poverty, misunderstanding and gaps of the relationship between spouses were taken as major factors to divorce in Jarso. These factors of divorce were putting the ground for the various economic and social consequences with divorce spouses. And also finding of this study was also showed that shrink, hostile reactions and detached lifestyles of divorced spouses with their relatives were the most important social consequences of divorce on divorced women and there were some of economic problem, financial crisis and decline of life standard of divorced women and their children after divorce in Jarso district. Recommendations are also forwarded such as Sociologist play an important role in this shift in focus from individual to family in learning, increase the public awareness about the benefits of marriage life. The religious institutions should also play a noteworthy role in creating awareness about peaceful family life with religious laws.