CHAPTER-9

Summary, Conclusion and Findings

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CHAPTER-9

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND FINDINGS

Introduction

From time immemorial woman desertion, of course divorce too, has

been an integral part of human society in general and the institution of

marriage and the family in particular. In Hindu society, desertion is

socially, religiously and culturally approved. For example, Lord Sri Rama

deserted his wife Sita. However, divorce was seldom permitted, especially

among the twice-born castes viz., Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas.

Occasionally, the Shudras and the untouchable castes did practice divorce.

The phenomenon of woman desertion is becoming a serious social

problem in modern society resulting from socioeconomic and family

disorganization (Madan, 1982). A survey of the studies done by

sociologists (Choudhary, 1988; Pothen, 1986; Mehta, 1970) has revealed

that most couples who married in their young years deserted and divorced

each other within three to four years of their marriage.

Lack of Studies on Desertion

Compared to divorce, little is known about desertion. As a matter of

fact there are few studies on woman desertion (Eubank, 1916; Kephart,

1952; Singh, 2004). The issue of divorce is addressed legally and solution

provided. There is a need to study the issue of woman desertion and frame

policy measures. Broadly, this thesis aims to study woman desertion as a

consequence of family disorganization.

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Significance of the Family

Family is the first and foremost institution of society. Every

individual is born and brought up in a family, marries and bears children

and ultimately dies in the family.

Changing Character of Family

Traditionally, the family in any society has been an organized system

of values, norms and authority. Social and economic problems were settled

within the family. Men and women did not violate family norms. Power

and authority were vested in men, elders and senior members. Young

married girls conformed to norms and expectations of the family.

The British and Family Change

With the advent of the British, significant changes occurred in India.

The British were the first to introduce formal education through schools and

colleges for both men and women. The introduction of industrialization

released a large number of skilled and unskilled non-agricultural jobs for

both men and women. The British also brought in social legislation to

protect women against the traditional customs and practices – the Sati

system, which treated them as inferior beings. In short, with urbanization,

industrialization, spread of education, legal reforms and economic changes,

the society in India has been undergoing rapid transformation. The family

patterns are changing fast and so are envisaged the roles of various family

members. The traditional joint families with three generations are gradually

changing into joint-nuclear and nuclear families, where the ‘ego’ and his

wife are gaining importance. Young spouses are establishing separate

households due to various reasons. Young wives are demanding more

freedom and equality. According to Nye and Hoffman (1963), women’s

values have become more equalitarian in nature and they no longer wish to

be a decorative piece to be caged and confined within the four walls of their

houses.

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Objectives and Hypotheses

The chief objective of the thesis was to study woman desertion as a

consequence of family disorganization. The specific objectives were:

1. To know the socioeconomic background of the respondents, their

spouses and both together,

2. To know whether there is any relationship between family

disorganization and woman desertion,

3. To know whether there is any relationship between the

respondents’ socioeconomic background and woman desertion,

4. To know whether there is any relationship between the

respondents’ socioeconomic background and woman desertion in

the context of family disorganization,

5. To know whether there is any relationship between the

respondents’ marital background and woman desertion in the

context of family disorganization.

6. To study the consequences of woman desertion in terms of reasons

such as remaining unmarried, maintenance of self and children, and

7. To suggest an intervention strategy to contain the problem of

woman desertion.

Hypotheses

The chief hypothesis is that there is a close relationship between

family disorganization and woman desertion. The higher the level of family

disorganization, the higher the level of woman desertion.

The specific hypotheses were:

1. There is a positive relationship between the respondents’ socio-

economic background and woman desertion,

2. There is a positive relationship between the respondents marital

background and woman desertion,

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3. The higher the socioeconomic background, the higher the rate of

woman desertion when the effect of family disorganization is

controlled.

4. The higher the marital background, the higher the rate of woman

desertion when the effect of family disorganization is controlled.

Review of Literature

Studies on marital separation have focused mainly on the incidence

of divorce (Fonseca, 1966; Choudhary, 1988; Mehta, 1975). But desertion,

another form of marital separation, is seldom studied as a subject of

research. The reason for undertaking research on divorce is that the

incidence is legally recorded. On the other hand, desertion is not registered

either in a police station or in a Court of Law. Their socioeconomic and

marital problems are entirely different from those of the divorcees. In

principle, the deserted women are married. They want to retain the status of

a married woman, and do not have the intention of remarriage. Such

women do not, however, enjoy the bliss of a married life.

Studies on Divorce

Indian Studies

Y.B.Damle (1957) made a study of 353 divorce cases from rural and

urban areas. Damle came to the conclusion that childlessness of the wife

was one of the important causes of divorce. Fonseca (1966) studied 1261

divorced couples. The study mainly focused on the socioeconomic,

demographic factors and childlessness, as the causes of divorce.

Rama Mehta (1975) undertook a full scale study of divorces in

Indian society. The main theoretical background used in the study was:

1. Indian society was going through dramatic and rapid changes

affecting the traditional roles of women radically, and,

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2. Modern society, which is relatively secular, liberal, egalitarian,

individualistic, is more tolerant and more open towards women who

are Desertees/ divorcees.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of changing values of

the family. Mehta’s assumption was that modernization in terms of

education, employment, income, legal rights, exposure to mass media and

public life have made women more independent minded than men. Mehta

contended that educated women from the middle and lower middle classes

cannot make adjustment with the traditional family background of the

husband. According to Mehta, divorce is the result of maladjustment of

modern women with the traditional family background of the husband.

A relatively recent full scale study of divorce comes from S.Pothen

(1985). The objectives of the study were two-fold:

1. To know the marital adjustment and life of the people before

divorce, and

2. To know the major causes and consequences of divorce on the

socioeconomic status and life of the spouses and on their children

and finally, to study the patterns of remarriage of the divorcees.

J.N.Choudhary (1988) conducted a study on Divorce in Indian

Society. The study was concerned with investigating the structural

dimensions of marital disruption. The specific objectives were:

1. To find out what type of persons go in for divorce i.e., to examine

the socioeconomic and cultural background of the divorcees,

2. To find out with what variables is divorce-decision most related,

particularly the association between marriage disruption and age at

marriage, child-birth, income and level of education,

3. To assess the legal and social barriers in divorce,

4. To identify factors that affect adjustment after divorce, and

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5. To study the process of role adjustment after divorce.

Phanka (1960), Narain (1962), Kochar (1965) and Mahajan (1966),

in their studies on marital adjustments, have tried to correlate the problem

of divorce with problems of marital adjustment and that of marital conflict.

It is important to know that desertion has not been studied as a

consequence of family disorganization. Fonseca (1963) in his article

Family Disorganization and Divorce in Indian Communities tried to shed

light on the basic background elements, which constitute the disorganized

units as seen from the records and proceedings in Court. In another article

viz., Marital Separations – Disorganization as seen through an Agency,

Fonseca (1964) tried to explain how family disorganization tends to

produce women desertion.

Studies on Marital Adjustment

Terman (1938) has studied the psychological factors in marital

happiness. Nye Ivan (1973) has studied the family, its structure and

interaction. Memoria (1960) discussed the phenomenon of family

disorganization in which he explained the part played by desertion.

According to Memoria (1960), the social consequences of desertion are

very unhealthy. Families may be permanently dissolved emotionally, the

wife and children often suffer much more severely than the husband, for

desertion entails a humiliating rejection of the spouses.

Venkatrayappa (1972) studied households in two slums in Mysore

City. Family life and marriage, parent child relationship were some of the

variables studied along with socioeconomic and health conditions. He

made certain specific observations such as that family life is affected

because of low economic standards. A few families showed instability and

quarrel followed by desertion by either of the spouses is common.

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A Significant Study was undertaken by Vidya Srinivasan (1987) on “Deserted

Wives in the Slums of Madras City”

The objectives of the study were:

1. To describe the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of

deserted wives in the slums of Madras city.

2. To identify certain relevant features of their marital and abandonment

history. Relevant features of marital history included whether the

marriage was a “Love marriage” or a traditional “arranged marriage”,

whether they were happily or unhappily married in the first five years,

and the number of years they had been married prior to abandonment.

Abandonment history covered details regarding the status of the

abandoned women before and after abandonment and the kinds of

problems faced.

3. To ascertain how these women were coping with their abandoned

status. Coping referred to the way the respondents were dealing with

the situation as of date i.e., the type of job undertaken, monthly

income, children’s education and type of shelter.

The respondents for the study were married women of any age,

living, in a slum, who were deserted by their husbands. The findings

revealed that the main cause of desertion was the husband’s ill-treatment.

Seema Kulkarni & Sneha Bhat (2010) wrote an article on “Issues

and Concerns of Deserted Women”. The paper has presented data from two

studies conducted in Sangli and Daund. For the purpose of the study, the

investigators chose to focus on women who throughout the marital

relationship largely lived in violent circumstances. The broad findings are

that woman desertion is to be found more among SCs/ STs and Muslims.

According to the study, the reasons for desertion would include inability to

produce a male child, infertility, inadequate dowry from the woman’s natal

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home or simply the inability to fulfill the role of a Sati-Savitri or the

normative woman. The studies on which the paper is based are simple in

nature. The objectives and methodologies are not clear. Nevertheless, the

studies have made a significant contribution to the study of woman

desertion.

Singh (2004), in his book Deserted and Divorced Women in

Contemporary Society, has dealt with the different problems of deserted and

divorced women.

The basic objective of this study was to make a thorough empirical

probe into the present status of the desertees, viz., by means of an appraisal

of living conditions, problems and status of deserted and divorced Hindu

women in contemporary society. The specific objectives, however, were

the following:

1. To inquire into the real cause of desertion and divorce,

2. To ascertain and highlight the socioeconomic and psychological

conditions in which the deserted and divorced women live as also the

problems and difficulties they and their children faced or have felt in

the course of post-separation familial living.

3. To focus upon the nature and types of exploitation, disabilities and

humiliations which these women and their offspring are subjected to

or face.

4. To make a probe into the separated women’s perception about their

own and their children’s status in family and society, and,

5. To present an account of their role pattern as well as their attitudes,

aspiration and modes of action relating to their family and social

living.

The study was conducted with a sample of 132 maritally separated

(100 deserted and 32 divorced) Hindu women. Data were collected through

personal interview.

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The main finding is that women were deserted and divorced due to

marital discord and violence at the hands of their husbands.

Family Disorganization

Family disorganization does not occur in isolation. It reflects the

larger social disorganization. Let us first understand the two concepts viz.,

social organization and social disorganization.

1. Social Organization

In simple terms social organization is made up of two words: social

and organization whereas ‘social’ refers to human beings living together as

a group in a situation requiring that they have dealings with one another,

organization means a set of differentiated activities serving a common

purpose and so correlated that the effectiveness of each is increased by its

relation to the rest. Here a set of differentiated activities means the different

groups and institutions which may contribute to the welfare or common

purpose of the organization.

Meaning of Social Organization

The term “social organization” refers to a state of being, a condition

in which the various institutions in a society are functioning in accordance

with their recognized or implied purposes (Elliott and Merrill, 1950). In

other words, social organization implies a relative harmony between

individual attitudes and social values.

What are the characteristics of Social Organization?

Concept of Social Disorganization

So far we have discussed the concept of social organization. Let us

understand the meaning of social disorganization.

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The term ‘social disorganization’ is a relative concept. There is

nothing like perfect social organization. Social organization implies a

certain degree of social disorganization. As there may be various degrees of

social organization, so is the case with social disorganization. Social

disorganization may thus be more or less, when the forces of social change

create a threat to social stability and as a result of which there arise social

problems.

Social disorganization implies some breakdown in the social

organization, which may be more or less according to the forces of social

change operating at a particular time. In the words of Elliott and Merrill

(1940), “Social disorganization represents a breakdown in the equilibrium

of forces, decay in the social structure, so that old habits and forms of social

control no longer function effectively’. Mowrer (1943) defines social

disorganization with reference to social organization: “whereas social

organization consists of individual responses as a consequence of the

operation of conventionalized patterns of consensus and control, any change

in the cultural context, which impedes or destroys the functioning of the

patterns of coordination which constitute the social order represents social

disorganization”. Gillin and Gillin (1951) point out “social disorganization

means such serious maladjustment between the various elements in the total

cultural configuration as to endanger the survival of the group, or as to

endanger the survival of the group or as seriously to interfere with the

satisfaction of the fundamental desires of its members, with the result that

social cohesion is destroyed.

What are the characteristics of social disorganization?

1. Economic, and

2. Social-psychological

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Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion

Family is the most intimate social group. The unity of any group is a

function of the similarity of values and attitudes among the various

members of the family. Thus, complete family organization depends upon

the unity of interacting personalities who are held together by certain

psychological factors in a normal family. When these factors are present,

the family may be said to be an organized unity and when they are not, the

family becomes disorganized. The individual members in a family must

knit up the loose webs of their life into an organization under new and

different circumstances. This is particularly so in the case of husband and

wife, who have been recently brought together. According to Elliott and

Merrill, the family organization is characterized by the following three

factors, each of which is present to some degree in the normal and unified

primary group.

1. Unity of Objectives

The organized family possesses a unity of objectives. That is, its

members possess similar attitudes on the most important aspects of their

joint activities, such as the care and discipline of the children, their

education, the allocation of various duties of the home, the question of sex

relations, and other matters of a deeply personal nature.

2. Unity of Personal Ambitions

Complete harmony of personal ambitions with the welfare of the

family may be difficult in a democratic society because of different life

organizations and different personalities, yet in a well-organized family the

individual members must subordinate their interests to the welfare of the

family as a whole. For instance, a father, who does not give up his

expensive living in order to feed and clothe his family adequately, is failing

in a basic function.

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3. Unity of Interests

Unity of interests in almost all respects is mostly possible in an

agricultural joint family, where in matters of religious practices, education,

recreation and economic activities the various members participate as a unit.

Such identification is difficult in modern urban life, where members of the

family develop different interests by virtue of their roles in various

secondary groups. However, a similarity of such interests i.e., religious,

recreational, educational, and economic is more favourable to an organized

family as reciprocal relationships of family life operate more smoothly in

such circumstances.

All families are subject to infinite gradations in these criteria of

family unity. Perfectly organized families are rare, as is the case with

completely disorganized families. A majority of the families struggle

through their relationships which are often marred by bickering or tensions

but they still continue to function on a fairly acceptable plane. For some,

however, the tensions become so great that the individuals cannot continue

their relationship. These tensions may be gradual developments, growing

out of cultural dissimilarities or disparities in age, religious differences,

economic difficulties or differences over fundamental values. The

cumulative and precipitate crisis which disturbs the individual may also

bring about disorganization of the family group. This may take the form of

persistent domestic discord which may render harmonious relationships

difficult although there may never be an open break in the formal unity of

the family, or the tensions take the extreme form is when the disruption is

complete both sociologically and legally. Mowrer calls the first stage as the

disintegration of the family and the second as the disorganization of the

family.

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Family Disorganization

Family disorganization does not occur in isolation. It reflects the

larger social disorganization. Let us first understand the two concepts viz.,

social organization and social disorganization.

1. Social Organization

In simple terms social organization is made up of two words: social

and organization whereas ‘social’ refers to human beings living together as

a group in a situation requiring that they have dealings with one another.

Organization means a set of differentiated activities serving a common

purpose and so correlated that the effectiveness of each is increased by its

relation to the rest. Here a set of differentiated activities means the different

groups and institutions which may contribute to the welfare or common

purpose of the organization.

Meaning of Social Organization

The term “social organization” refers to a state of being, a condition

in which the various institutions in a society are functioning in accordance

with their recognized or implied purposes (Elliott and Merrill, 1950). In

other words, social organization implies a relative harmony between

individual attitudes and social values.

What are the characteristics of Social Organization?

Concept of Social Disorganization

So far we have discussed the concept of social organization. Let us

understand the meaning of social disorganization.

The term ‘social disorganization’ is a relative concept. There is

nothing like perfect social organization. Social organization implies a

certain degree of social disorganization. As there may be various degrees of

social organization, so is the case with social disorganization. Social

273

disorganization may thus be more or less, when the forces of social change

create a threat to social stability and as a result of which there arise social

problems.

Social disorganization implies some breakdown in the social

organization, which may be more or less according to the forces of social

change operating at a particular time. In the words of Elliott and Merrill

(1940), “Social disorganization represents a breakdown in the equilibrium

of forces, a decay in the social structure, so that old habits and forms of

social control no longer function effectively’. Mowrer (1943) defines social

disorganization as “whereas social organization consists of individual

responses as a consequence of the operation of conventionalized patterns of

consensus and control, any change in the cultural context, which impedes or

destroys the functioning of the patterns of coordination which constitute the

social order represents social disorganization. Gillin and Gillin (1951)

points out “social disorganization means such serious maladjustment

between the various elements in the total cultural configuration as to

endanger the survival of the group, or as to endanger the survival of the

group or as seriously to interfere with the satisfaction of the fundamental

desires of its members, with the result that social cohesion is destroyed.

What are characteristics of social disorganization?

3. Economic, and

4. Social psychological

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion

Family is the most intimate social group. The unity of any group is a

function of the similarity of values and attitudes among the various

members of the family. Thus, complete family organization depends upon

the unity of interacting personalities who are held together by certain

psychological factors in a normal family. When these factors are present,

274

the family may be said to be an organized unity and when they are not, the

family becomes disorganized. The individual members in a family must

knit up loose webs of their life organization under new and different

circumstances. This is particularly so in the case of husband and wife, who

have been recently brought together. According to Elliott and Merrill, the

family organization is characterized by the following three factors, each of

which is present to some degree in the normal and unified primary group.

1. Unity of Objectives

The organized family possesses a unity of objectives. That is, its

members possess similar attitudes on the most important aspects of their

joint activities, such as the care and discipline of the children, their

education, the allocation of various of the home, the question of sex

relations, and other matters of a deeply personal nature.

2. Unity of Personal Ambitions

Complete harmony of personal ambitions with the welfare of the

family may be difficult in a democratic society because of different life

organizations and different personalities, yet in a well-organized family the

individual members must subordinate their interests to the welfare of the

family as a whole. For instance, a father, who does not give up his

expensive living in order to feed and clothe his family adequately, is failing

in a basic function.

3. Unity of Interests

Unity of interests in almost all respects is mostly possible in an

agricultural joint family, wherein matters of religious practices, education,

recreation and economic activities the various members participated as a

unit. Such an identification is difficult in modern urban life, where

members of the family develop different interests by virtue of their roles in

various secondary groups. However, a similarity of such interests i.e.,

275

religious, recreational, educational, and economic is more favourable to

organized family as reciprocal relationships of family life operate more

smoothly in such circumstances.

All families are subject to infinite gradations in these criteria of

family unity. Perfectly organized families are rare, as is the case with

completely disorganized families. Majority of the families struggle through

their relationships are often marred by bickering or tensions but they still

continue to function on a fairly acceptable plane. For some, however, the

tensions becomes so great that the individuals cannot continue their

relationship. These tensions may be gradual developments, growing out of

cultural dissimilarities or disparities in age, religious differences, economic

difficulties or differences over fundamental values. The cumulative and

precipitate crisis which disturbs the individual may also bring about

disorganization of the family group. This may take the form of persistent

domestic discord which may render harmonious relationship difficult

although there may never be an open break in the formal unity of the

family, or the tensions may take the extreme form is then complete both

sociologically and legally. Mowrer calls the first stage as the disintegration

of the family and second as the disorganization of the family.

Meaning of Family Disorganization

In the broadest sense, family disorganization may be thought to

include any sort of non-harmonious functioning within the family. Thus, it

may include not only the tensions between husband and wife, but those

arising between children and parents as well. Tensions between parents and

children often present serious problems of adjustment if they are not to

result in permanent friction and such disagreements may also result in

tensions between husband and wife. However, the children’s conflict with

parents does not threaten the family organization to so marked a degree that

the conflict between husband and wife over fundamental social values,

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which makes the rifts more serious, leads to family disruption. Therefore,

our discussion of family disorganization will be mostly confined to the

disruptions of the marriage relationship occasioned by tension between

husband and wife. This conjugal relationship is the central bond uniting the

family in any society. When this bond is broken, the family is then

automatically broken. The existence of family groups as a functioning units

depends upon the continuation of many personal relationships, which are

reciprocal. When this relationship is broken there comes about the

breakdown in the family organization.

Family disorganization in the external manifestation may take the

form of desertion, separation, divorce, physical violence or use of abusive

language. But these manifestations are only the superficial symptoms of a

breakdown in the intimate relationships within the family. The legal or

social function of normal family life may be maintained even when these

personal relationships are at a minimum. Family may continue to live

under the same roof because of religious beliefs or economic or social

motives which may prompt the wife or the husband to live in the marriage

bond from which love and affection have long since fled. Similarly, the

sense of the duty towards, the children or fear of disapproval of the parents

may keep them all together. In some cases, the outward family life may be

maintained while affectionate interests are satisfied elsewhere. At the same

time it must be recognized that every normal family experiences conflicts

which it is expected to overcome. According to Elliott and Merrill, every

man and woman enters marriage from a separate background with different

ideas and attitudes born out of his/ her experiences. Each possesses a scale

of values developed out of particular social groups. Under the

circumstances, it is not surprising that distinctive personality traits of the

one may unconsciously irritate the other. Only by integrating the husband’s

and wife’s individual desires and attitudes can a successful family life be

achieved with a harmonious functioning of the interacting personalities.

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However, it is to be pointed out that tension in family life is growing in the

modern age because of the rapid changes in the role and status of the

partners.

Meaning of Desertion

Desertion, as the term is ordinarily employed, means the

irresponsible departure from the home on the part of either husband or wife,

leaving the family to fend for itself (Goode, 1963).

According to Eshleman (1978), desertion refers to a separation of the

spouses that is against the will of one spouse and is intended by the other

spouse to end marital life.

According to the legal point of view Desertion means desertion of

the petitioner by the other party to the marriage without any reasonable

cause and without the consent or against the wishes of such party, and

includes willful neglect of the petitioner by the other party to the marriage

and its grammatical variations and cognate expressions (Paras, 1983)

According to the above definition, there are certain specific conditions or

constituent elements of desertion which must be established in order to

prove the fact of desertion. They are:

1. Factum of Separation: The deserter has in actuality abandoned all

matrimonial relations with the other – the deserted spouse. In other

words, marital partners must have parted and terminated all forms of

joint living.

2. Animus Deserdendi: It means, intentions to desert must be there. The

deserting spouse must have a real intention to terminate cohabitation

permanently but not temporarily. If, however, a spouse abandons the

other in a state of temporary passion, anger, annoyance, disgust, etc. or

the like, without intending to break the marital bond, it would not

amount to desertion.

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3. Absence of Consent: The deserted spouse must not have agreed or

consented to the separation or abandonment of matrimonial obligations

and relationships.

4. Statutory Period: Desertion or cessation of matrimonial duties of

matrimonial duties and relationship must have continued for a minimum

period of two years,

5. Absence of Reasonable Cause: Desertion must have occurred without

any reasonable ground or cause. The deserter must have left the other

spouse on grounds which the law does not accept as valid or legal.

In the modern legal context desertion includes actual desertion,

constructive and willful neglect.

1. Constructive Desertion: Desertion is a condition and a

phenomenon. It is not the withdrawal from a place but from a state

of affairs or thing. There may exist a fact of desertion even if both

the spouses reside in the same home or roof. Paras Dewan (1983)

rightly observes, “to constitute desertion there must be separation of

households, not a separation of houses. The parties thus may be in

desertion even if living under the same roof. The only thing required

in constructive desertion is that there cessation of actual matrimonial

relationship between the spouses even though they live in the same

house.

Willful Neglect: Willful neglect of matrimonial duties constitutes desertion

according to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Willful neglect connotes the

deserters failure or omission to discharge basic marital duties and

obligations. It also includes refusal to have marital intercourse, denying

maintenance and declining to give company. It would be worthwhile to add

here that willful neglect has been deliberately declared equivalent to

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desertion in Indian social context with a to protect the interest of women

folk who are the real victims and sufferers on this account.

Desertion is a continuing offence. It remains inchoate till the

petition for matrimonial relief is not filed. Desertion becomes complete

only when it is reported or brought to the native of the Court of Law.

According to KBK Singh (2004: 28) a deserted woman refers to such

woman who is not legally separated from her husband but does not enjoy or

avail any right and privilege of marital relationship with her husband.

According to Shamla Pappu (1987), deserted women are those who

are deserted by their spouses against their wishes and without reasonable

cause.

The term ‘desertion’ as used in the present study.

Sociological explanation of desertion is somewhat different from the

above. According to the Dictionary of Sociology, desertion refers to the

unannounced cessation of cohabitation between husband and wife without

formal divorce, separation or other mutually agreed arrangement for support

of family or care of children (Fairchild, 1962).

Both legal and sociological definitions of desertion pinpoint different

dimensions of the concept. A broader and more meaningful definition of

desertion could be had by taking into account both definitions. It may be

taken as a deliberate severance of actual marital ties by either of the spouses

with the other living partner without the consent of the latter.

‘Desertion’ refers to a state of relationship where the spouses sever

social, sexual and marital relations with each other but do not want to go in

for divorce. It is also informally understood and agreed that the spouses are

free to re-marry and cease to have any right over each other.

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A deserted woman is the one who has been either deserted by her

husband or she herself has deserted him, and who has severed sexual

relations with her husband for reasons best known to herself, resides

separately, even away from her spouse, does not want to live with her

spouse, and neither wants to seek divorce not remarry.

Desertion and Divorce

Desertion is a relation where both spouses sever marital bonds but

legally remain husband-wife. But divorce means judicial dissolution of

marital bonds and losing all social, economic, legal and sexual rights.

Desertion is a defacto or actual cessation of conjugal rights, obligations and

bonds whereas divorce is both defacto and dejure dissolution of marriage.

Desertion is a continuing offence but divorce does not involve any penal

idea. Desertion generally remains an unannounced and private affair until it

becomes a ground for matrimonial relief either for restitution of conjugal

life or for divorce, whereas divorce is always public as it leaves a record.

Desertion is both temporary and permanent. Desertion forms a part of and

ground for divorce. It is also called limited or partial divorce. Thus,

divorce is wider than the former in scope. During the state of desertion,

husband and wife may or may not live in the same household. But after

divorce, both the partners essentially live in separate households. Neither

of the spouses is legally entitled to remarry during the period of desertion

whereas divorce restores the right to remarry (Baber, 1953).

The term ‘desertion’ is used in two senses. Desertion as a ground for

divorce and desertion as an independent status. Desertion as a ground for

divorce as been recognized in Section 13(1), 13(1)(b) and Section 10(i) of

the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. However, desertion meaning severance of

conjugal relations and staying separately without any intention of divorce is

another practice found in all strata of society. A deserted woman is one

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who is not legally separated from her husband but does not enjoy or avail

any right and privilege of marital relationship with her husband.

According to Memoria (1960), in general, there are two types of

desertion: the permanent and the temporary. The former has been

characterized as the poor man’s divorce. It implies a social break for those

among whom divorce is impossible; the latter has been characterized as the

poor man’s vacation, and is indicative of a low family wage.

According to Truxal and Merril (1953), desertion as a prelude to

divorce is one phase of the problem of divorce. Desertion as a more or less

permanent status is another and more important problem.

According to Eubank (1916), there are five types of deserters:

1. The spurious deserter is one who leaves his family in order to escape

some financial responsibility or secure charitable relief;

2. The gradual deserter is one who is forced to stay away from home

by reason of his occupation, or because he is an immigrant staying

away from his family and native land;

3. The intermittent husband is one who is chronically a periodic

deserter and leaves home at somewhat regular intervals due to some

domestic difficulties, and returns when he is free from the difficulty,

4. The ill-advised marriage escapee This type of deserter is one who

deserts the wife when he finds that the relationship between them is

quite unsatisfactory because of hastily arranged or ill-suited

marriage, and

5. The last resort deserter is one who makes a complete break with his

family when he finds it impossible to make adjustments with his

wife.

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Eubank has described only men deserters. But there are a large

number of women who abruptly desert their husbands and family members

and do not return at all.

Meaning of Woman Desertion in the Present Study

In the present study woman desertion refers to those women who

have either themselves deserted their husbands or whose husbands have

deserted them and have been living separately without any hope of joining

together. Such women may be receiving some financial assistance or

income from a piece of land or building. But three conditions are

important:

1. The deserted woman should have been living separately but

permanently without any conjugal contact with her husband at least

for a minimum period of five years,

2. Should have remained unmarried, and,

3. Does not want to seek divorce.

Theories of Women Desertion

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion: Some Theories

Desertion is a form of behavior. The sustenance or disruption of

marital relations depends on several structural, functional and individual

factors. In the following pages a couple of theories related to women

desertion are examined:

1. Functionalist theory 2. Conflict theory 3. Incompatibility of familial roles 4. Stress and strain theory 5. Family disorganization theory 6. Domestic violence theory

1. Functionalist Theory

The functionalist theory explains desertion due to changing social

values in general and those associated with marriage and family.

Functionalists like Parson’s (1955) believe that a change in the larger social

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system will bring about changes in the sub-system. To be precise, changes

in the larger society such as education, employment, occupation, laws, and

mass media will bring about changes in marriage and family. For example,

provisions for education, employment, occupation rights of women have

affected their relationships with husband mother-in-law and other members

of the family. Rama Mehta study revealed that the most crucial factors

noted for the breaking of marital ties are: women’s education, employment

or economic independence, upbringing in nuclear family or household

which make them urban, individualistic, and capable of asserting their

rights as equal marital partners. In short, changes in the larger society will

bring in changes in the individuals and sub-systems.

2. Conflict Theory

The conflict theory or the Marxist perspective focuses on clash of

roles. It means whenever women take to full-time employment they cannot

fulfill employment and familial roles effectively. Kapur, in her study

“Marriage and the Working Women in India” points out that it is not

merely the fact of wife being employed that affects marital relationship but

the overall changes in the attitudes of educated urban women brought about

by a variety of factors which are operating almost simultaneously in

contemporary Indian society.

Employment creates three problems:

1. It increases the woman’s physical labour 2. It increases here financial burden and 3. It induces and creates feelings of guilt

In short, desertion may occur due to the role conflict of employed

women.

3. Incompatibility Theory

Modernization in terms of industrialization, urbanization, formal

education, and mass media is sweeping the whole world. The formal

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structure of marriage and family in terms of traditional customs, which

reflected gender inequality, are gradually on the decline. Women are

becoming conscious of their individuality. They are not ready to

subordinate themselves to elders and husbands. Relations between women,

especially newly married women and family members are becoming

individualistic and personal. Relations between members have to be

maintained through mutual confidence, trust and faith, lest there be a

breakdown in the system of marriage and family. A majority of the young

married couples go in for desertion and divorce because they cannot take

each other into confidence and build up a minimum level of trust.

4. Adolescent Stress and Strain

Adolescence is a period of stress and strains. G.Stanley Hall (1964)

is one of those pioneering social scientists who have made noteworthy

contributions to the study of adolescence in society. Briefly speaking, Hall

said that puberty is a time of great upset, emotional maladjustment and

instability in which the adolescent’s moods oscillate between energy and

indifference, gaiety and depression. Hall believed that adolescence which

begins with the onset of puberty, inevitably involves psychological

disturbances or tensions. According to Erikson (1950), adolescence is a

turning phase in an individual’s life. It is here that she develops his/ her

identity.

5. Age at Marriage and Desertion

Age at marriage and desertion are related with each other. Early

marriage between 16-14 years for girls is likely to create marital tensions as

the spouses do not know how to relate to each other. They physically,

sexually, socially and ideologically do not know what to expect and what

not to expect from each other. Consequently, there are more chances of

marital breakdown in the form of desertion/ divorce.

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6. Family Disorganization and Desertion Theory

According to Memoria (1981) and Madan (1982) desertion/ divorce

is the byproduct of family disorganization.

Family is an organization of relationships, roles and status, power

and authority and customs, and values Young married spouses, parents and

unmarried brothers and sisters and older members constitute three integral

units of the family.

Family disorganization refers to deviations from the expected roles

and statuses and breakdown in power and authority. Hunger, ill-health and

squalor thwart family stability. There is constant infighting among the

members for personal ends. In the broadest sense, family disorganization

refers to any sort of non-harmonious functioning within the family. Family

disorganization includes the tensions between husband and wife, parents

and children and between younger and older generations. It means loss of

faith, trust and confidence and finally breakdown of authority.

Family disorganization manifests itself in desertions, separations,

divorces, court litigation and domestic violence on women, aged and

children. Ogburn (1955) has discussed family disorganization as resulting

from the loss of functions. In short, woman desertion, as a form of marital

conflict, results out of family disorganization.

Domestic Violence on Women and Desertion

Studies conducted on domestic violence indicate that young married

women are likely to desert the family due to the violence perpetrated on

them. Scriptures reveal that King Rama had abandoned his wife Sita in the

forest. Manu and Kautilya have exhorted men to desert women.

Since time-memorial the family has been unkind and cruel with

women. similarly in the west, William Blackstone’s 18th Century

Codification of the English Common laws asserted that husbands had the

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right to physically chastise” an arrant wife, provided the stick was no bigger

than his thumb (Pawar, 1988).

The most common family violence against women is the harassment

by husbands and in-laws for dowry or any other reason. There are

sociologists like William Goode (1971), who hold that the use of physical

force is an integral part of the institution of the family and is one of the

means to maintain control in the family. Whatever may be the reasons for

violence against women, family violence may have negative effect on

women’s permanent settlement in the family.

Chapter-2

Universe and Methodology

Chapter-2 described the area in which the present research was

carried out. Sample size and the methods by which the sample was selected

and the methodology adopted to construct two scales viz., Family

Disorganization and Woman Desertion.

The present study was conducted in Bijapur district of Karnataka.

Women desertees residing in Bijapur city and taluks of the district

constituted the sample units. A sample of 400 women desertees were

selected out of 4000 total population residing in Bijapur city and taluks

from a census conducted by the researcher, specially for the purpose.

Respondents were arranged in an ascending order according to age at

marriage. Then every 10th respondent was selected. Data were collected

with the help of an interview schedule.

Construction of Scales

Construction of scales was a difficult and challenging task. The

investigator tried her best to borrow any but similar scale developed

elsewhere. Despite our hectic search, it was not possible to obtain one such

scale. In consultation with the supervisor, it was decided to develop our

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own indigenous scale taking into account social characteristics of our

sample and availability of statistical tools and tests.

Family Disorganization

As a first step, the present study identified six components of the

family, which are responsible for maintaining family organization and the

breakdown of which leads to disorganization. Each component was in turn

divided into 2-3 sub-components to prepare the Family Disorganization

Scale. The components along with their sub-components were as given

below:

i) Economic status of the family

1. Earning and non-earning members of the family 2. Income status of the family

ii) Order and discipline in the family

1. Conformity to family rules 2. Respect for elders 3. Doing household duties as per the expectations of the head of the

family iii) Adjustment between family members

1. Adjustment between parents and children 2. Adjustment between parents 3. Adjustment between siblings

iv) Peace and harmony in the family

4. Mutual talking with a cheerful face 5. Violent and disturbed atmosphere 6. Use of indecent language

v) Adjustment between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law

1. Volte-face behavior of the mother in law. 2. Authoritarian nature of the mother in law. 3. Causing of mischief by mother-in-law.

vi) Relations between the spouses

1. Taking care of personal needs. 2. Taking care of sexual needs 3. Taking care of familial needs.

Scoring Method

Firstly, respondents were asked to indicate their responses as to a

‘great extent’, to ‘some extent’ and ‘never or to little extent’ to each of sub-

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component. For example, the following question was asked with three

options with regard to “conformity to family rules”. In your opinion

whether members conform to family rules. The options were “great

extent”, “some extent” and “never or little extent”.

The investigator explained the question in local language and tried to

make out whether they did their expected duties as per family rules and

norms. Responses were marked by the investigator herself as the discussion

was more qualitative than quantitative.

Respondents’ responses viz., ‘great extent’, ‘some extent’ and

‘never’ were converted into high, moderate and low by assigning three, two

and one marks, respectively. Each respondent’s total scores were

computed. By applying the mean, the respondents were divided into Low

and High Family Disorganization sample.

The main limitation was to collect information and quantify

qualitative variables from illiterate and ignorant respondents.

Construction of Woman desertion Scale

The degree of woman or women desertion rate (WDR) was prepared

by taking into account the number of years that the spouses had lived

together. Those who had lived together for a period of 0-4, 5-8 and 9+

years were given 03, 02 and 01 scores. Each respondent’s total score was

computed and by applying percentiles, the respondents were classified into

High, Moderate and Low Woman Desertion Rate (WDR). The reliability of

the index for WDR was tested by applying the method of item analysis and

Karl Pearson’s Product Movement Simple Correlation Test.

Exploratory study its aim is to know explore the factors that lend to

influence woman desertion. The issue of the relationship between woman

desertion and family disorganization is a complex one family

disorganization may cause woman desertion. It is also quite possible that

woman desertion itself causes family disorganization.

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It is important to note that the concept of family disorganization is a

complex social phenomenon. The concept itself has others correlates or

dimensions. Social economics and marital background are the other factors

which affect woman desertion via family disorganization.

Use of other Statistics

The other statistics used in the study were: ² test and CC =

contingence of correlation as most tables were tabulated into two by three

categories.

Relationship of sub-components with main components

An attempt was made to examine whether the sub-components were

significantly related with the main components. Analysis of the data

revealed that all components were significantly related to the main

components.

Limitations of the Study

The present study was highly sensitive. It involved one’s feelings,

emotions and bitter and sore experiences. In the beginning respondents

flatly refused to divulge information. With great persuasion, they agreed to

provide necessary information. Even otherwise most respondents did not

furnish information on delicate issues. The investigator tried her best to

elicit information full from clues. One has to evaluate the findings against

the background of the nature of the subject.

Chapter-3

Socioeconomic Background of the Respondents

A majority (70%) of the respondents were from backward castes.

Ninety (90%) per cent of them were employed. Half the respondents were

literate, while the rest illiterate. Seventy per cent (70%) were from villages.

Forty per cent (40%), 35 and 25 per cents lived in joint, joint-nuclear and

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nuclear families, respectively. Ninety (90%) per cent of the respondents

had their mothers-in-law.

A majority (70%) lived in Kachcha houses. A majority lived in

taluks and surrounding villages 20-30 Km away from Bijapur City. More

than 45 per cent worked as domestic servants. In short, a majority of the

respondents came from poor families, lived in sub standard houses.

Chapter-4

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion

This chapter has examined the relationship between family

disorganization and woman desertion. The hypothesis that was tested was:

The higher the family disorganization, the higher the woman desertion rate

(WDR).

The data collected in this regard revealed that 60, 22 and 18 per cents

of the respondents from High Family Disorganization sample had high,

moderate and low WDRs, respectively. It means a great majority (60%)

deserted the family within a period of 0-4 years after marriage. But in the

case of Low Family Disorganization (LFD) sample 37, 21 and 42 per cents

had high, moderate and low WDRs, respectively. It means WDR in the

LFD sample was slow and gradual. A greater proportion of the desertees

lived with the LFD groups for longer years. It could be said that woman

desertion is present in both the categories of family disorganization. It is

not totally absent in LFD samples also. It shows that there are other factors

influencing woman desertion.

1. Economic Status of the Family and Woman desertion

A cross tabulation of the data on the economic status of the family

and WDR showed that an overwhelming majority (79%) from the low

family economic status sample had high WDR. On the other hand, a

majority (57%) of the respondents with low family economic status had low

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WDR. But even in the low family economic status sample, 17 and 26 per

cents had moderate and high WDRs, respectively. It could be said that

woman desertion is being influenced by other factors.

2. Order and Discipline and Woman Desertion

Strict order and discipline in the family may act as an important

cause of woman desertion. Data collected in this regard showed that a

majority (55%) of the respondents, from low order and discipline families

had high WDR, but a majority of the respondents with high order and

discipline families also had high WDR. It means besides order and

discipline in the family, there are other factors causing woman desertion.

3. Adjustment between Family Members and Woman Desertion

Adjustment in terms of mutual understanding between members of

the family may influence woman desertion and bring the WDR down. Data

gathered in this regard showed that a majority (64%) of the respondents

from low adjustment families had high WDR. But a majority (52%) of the

high family adjustment respondents had low WDR. There is an inverse

relationship between family adjustment and WDR.

4. Family Peace & Harmony and Woman Desertion

Data collected on the effect of family peace and harmony on woman

desertion showed that both are interrelated with each other. The hypothesis

that was tested: the lower the family peace and harmony, the higher the

WDR. It was observed that 64 per cent, a majority, with low family peace

and harmony had high WDR. But 43 per cent of the respondents with high

family peace and harmony had low WDR. But WDR among respondents

with moderate family peace and harmony was distributed between low

(41%) and high (43%). It means family peace and harmony is a complex

phenomenon which is difficult to measure. But by and large, the family

peace and harmony issue has a relationship with WDR.

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5. Mother-in-law Adjustment and Woman Desertion

The maladjustment and differences between mother-in-law and

daughter-in-law have been highlighted by many social researchers as a

cause of woman desertion (Pothen, 1986). Data collected in this regard

showed that 55, 35 and 10 per cents of the respondents had low, moderate

and high mother-in-law adjustments, respectively. It means mother-in-law

adjustment with the daughter-in-law as low as 55 per cent. A further

analysis of the data showed that 55 per cent of the respondents with low

mother-in-law adjustment had high WDR. Interestingly, 62 per cent of the

respondents with moderate mother-in-law adjustment had high WDR.

These data do not match our proposed assumptions. It is quite possible that

there is a good deal of under-reporting by the respondents. They somehow

wanted to conceal their genuine feelings and experiences. But it is clear

that mother-in-law adjustment and woman desertion are related.

6. Marital Adjustment and Woman Desertion

Adjustment between husband and wife over personal, familial and

sexual issues may cause serious but unpleasant situations which might lead

to woman desertion.

Data collected in this regard showed that 60 per cent of the

respondents had low adjustment with their husbands, while 37 and 3 per

cents had moderate and high adjustments, respectively. It means the sample

as a whole had a high degree of marital disruption.

Data further showed that of the low maritally adjusted respondents,

60 per cent had high WDR. It means marital maladjustment and woman

desertion are interrelated.

Main Findings

1. Family disorganization and woman desertion are related. 2. Economic statuses of the family and woman desertion are inversely

related.

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3. Family order and discipline and woman desertion are negatively related.

4. Family adjustment and woman desertion are inversely related. 5. Family peace and harmony and woman desertion are inversely

related. 6. Mother-in-law adjustment and woman desertion are inversely

related. 7. Marital adjustment and woman desertion are inversely related.

Chapter-5

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion by Socioeconomic

Background

An attempt is made to examine the part played by the respondents’

socioeconomic background in influencing woman desertion by controlling

the effect of the factor of family disorganization. The reason is to know

whether there are any other factors or variables like one’s social and marital

background that are likely to influence woman desertion.

Age: The respondents’ age constitutes an important dimension of social

background. The sample consisted of 18 per cent young (16-19 years) and

82 per cent old (20-25 years).

Data showed that of the young, 91 per cent had high WDR. But of

the old 43, 25 and 32 per cents of the respondents had high, moderate and

low WDRs respectively.

It means woman desertion is prevalent among both the young and the

old, but it was more pronounced among the young than in the old.

Caste: Marriage and family are an integral part of the caste system.

Marriage is held as a sacrament more among the higher than among the

lower castes. But the data collected showed that 54, 22 and 23 per cents of

the backward castes had high, moderate and low WDRs, respectively.

Similarly, 46, 20 and 34 per cents of the respondents of the forward castes

had high, moderate and low WDRs, respectively. It means a greater

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proportion of the newly married women among backward castes tend to

desert their families as early as possible. On the other hand, a lesser

proportion of newly married women from forward castes tend to desert their

families slowly but steadily. In conclusion it may be said that woman

desertion is prevalent among all castes, but the difference is in degrees.

Education: Literacy, the basic form of education, plays a distinct role in the

life of individuals and society. A basic function of literacy is that it

promotes a greater degree of interaction between individuals and groups.

Literacy promotes better understanding, patience and tolerance.

Data collected in this regard showed 65, 16 and 19 per cents of the

illiterate respondents had high, moderate and low WDRs, respectively. On

the other hand, 38, 28 and 34 per cents of the literate had high, moderate

and low WDRs, respectively.

From the data it could be said that literacy, a basic form of education,

has a significant effect on woman desertion.

Employment: Employment is economic power. Employed women have

higher status in the family and society. But employment alters relationships

in the family. It is likely to create dissents and differences of opinion in the

family. Therefore, employed, compared to non-employed women are prone

to desertion.

Data collected in this regard showed that 75 per cent of the sample

were employed while only 25 per cent were not. Data further indicated that

70, 15 and 15 per cents of the non-employed had high, moderate and low

WDRs, respectively. On the other hand, 45, 24 and 31 per cents of the

employed had high, moderate and low WDRs, respectively. It means, a

majority of the non-employed had deserted their families soon after their

marriage. But in the case of the employed, a greater proportion (45%), not a

majority, had high WDR.

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From the data, it can be said that although a majority of the non-

employed had a high WDR, it would be hasty is to attribute non-

employment as a cause of desertion. Besides, it is not advisable to draw

conclusions on the basis of a small sample.

As per our assumption, a majority of the employed should have

deserted. But this has not happened. It could be concluded that although

employment does create conditions of desertion, there are factors

preventing desertion.

Income: Income is the byproduct or result of employment, although there

may be other sources of income. A majority (75%) of the respondents had

employment as the only source of income. The rest had minor sources

(money lending) as other sources of income. About 78 per cent of the

respondents had low income – s. 2000-5000 and the rest between Rs.6, 000-

10,000. Income is linked with security and status. Low income means low

security and poor facilities. Data indicated that 50, 22 and 28 per cents of

the low income respondents had high, moderate and low WDRs,

respectively. It means 50 per cent of the respondents with low income had

deserted the husband within 0-4 years of marriage. The remaining 50 per

cent left the house after 7 and 10 years.

Data further show that 34, 28 and 38 per cents of high income

respondents had deserted the husband and his family within 4, 7 and 10

years of marriage. It shows high income tends to mitigate the chances of

early desertion. In short, income status seems to be linked with woman

desertion.

Rural/ Urban Background

One’s rural/ urban background, the place there one is brought up to

16 years – has a significant bearing on one’s personality development. The

Rural-reared are relatively conservative and rigid. On the other hand, the

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urban-reared are relatively rational and open-minded. As a matter of fact,

urban people are more prone to desertion and divorce. However, rural

society in modern days is more exposed to modern forces than ever before.

It was observed from the data that 75, 09 and 26 per cents of the urban

respondents had high, moderate and low WDRs, respectively. On the other

hand, 47, 25 and 28 per cents had high, moderate and low WDRs.

These data indicate that the incidence of woman desertion is present

among both rural and urban respondents. But more urban than rural

respondents are prone to woman desertion.

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion by Age

This section deals with the part played by one’s socioeconomic

background in influencing woman desertion against the background of

family disorganization. More specifically, the aim is to know whether

one’s socioeconomic background influences woman desertion

independently of or in collaboration with family disorganization.

As a matter of fact, age is a demographic factor, but it has deep

implications for marriage and family. For example, a family consisting of

more young people is likely to be unstable, insecure and disorganized. The

presence of more young members in the family tends to create emotional

problems. Therefore, one may state that family disorganization and the

respondent’s age structure are interrelated. Families with a higher degree of

disorganization are likely to be constituted by younger members. But the

data indicated that the proportion of the older population was more than the

young. The population in this connection was skewed in favor of the old.

As per the data in general 91 per cent of the young had high WDRs.

On the other hand, 43, 25 and 32 per cents of the old had high, moderate

and low had WDRs, respectively. Similarly, 96 and 80 per cents of the

young from the HFD and LFD samples respectively had high WDR. It

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means young respondents from both the samples had high WDRs. These

data showed that age influences WDR independently of family

disorganization. Data with regard to older respondents in both family

disorganization samples show that woman desertion is present in significant

proportions (LFD= H = 45%; M=21% and L=34% and HFD = H=42%;

M=27% and 31%). It could be concluded that age is linked with woman

desertion independently of the incidence of family disorganization.

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion by Caste

Caste and family are related to each other. Caste values influence

the values of the members through family: caste disorganization may

influence woman desertion through family disorganization. More family

disorganization is found among backward than among forward castes,

although recent changes might have introduced strains in families from

forward castes. In general 54, 22 and 24 per cents from backward caste

families and 46, 20 and 34 per cents from forward caste families had high,

moderate and low WDRs, respectively. It is clear that WDR is relatively

more among backward than among forward castes. It means woman

desertion is more or less equally found among both forward and backward

castes, but it is found relatively more among backward than among forward

castes. In short, caste is linked with woman desertion. But the intervening

influence of family disorganization on woman desertion needs further

investigation.

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion by Education

Literacy, as a form of basic education, inculcates values of

rationality which in turn enhance one’s social self. Literate people,

regardless of their social background, are empowered. It has a tendency to

question outdated values of superiority based on caste, sex and religion.

The aim of this section is to examine the part played by literacy in

influencing woman desertion in association with family disorganization.

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The proportion of literates and illiterates was more or less equal (52/

48%) in the sample. According to the data 64 per cent of the illiterates had

high WDR. On the other hand, 38, 28 and 34 per cents had high, moderate

and low WDRs, respectively. It means WDR is pronounced among

illiterates, while it is spread over thirty in literates. The same pattern of data

is found in low and high family disorganization samples. The finding is

that illiteracy, in association with high family disorganization, tends to

influence woman desertion.

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion by Employment

This section examines the part played by the respondents’

employment status in influencing woman desertion in association with

family disorganization. More employed than non-employed are likely to

desert when the effect of family disorganization is controlled.

Employment is economic power. It empowers women. Employed

women are likely to possess a sense of independence and self-respect. As a

result they may develop tendencies of self- assertion leading to conflict with

the spouse and also other members of the family. However, employment of

women may in itself not bring about role-conflict. Its role depends on its

management. Data indicate that 75 per cent of the samples are employed.

It was further observed that 70 per cent of the non-employed had high

WDR. This trend goes against our hypothesis. But there may be other

reasons for woman desertion. Employment of woman is a crucial part in

the economy of the working classes. A non-employed person is a liability.

Non-employed young women are looked down upon; similar reasons may

cause woman desertion. On the other hand, 45, 24 and 31 per cents had

high, moderate and low WDRs, respectively. It means there is enough WD

among the employed. A Similar pattern of woman desertion is found in

respondents from the low and high family disorganized samples. The

finding is that women’s employment has an independent effect on woman

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desertion. Family disorganization does not seem to make much difference

to woman desertion rate.

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion by Income

This section deals with the part played by the respondents’ income in

influencing woman desertion in association with family disorganization or

not. The higher the income, the higher WDR, when effect of family

disorganization is controlled. To be specific, the aim is to know whether

the effect of income on WDR is uniform in both LFD and HFD samples or

varies according to them.

Income is economic power. Women’s economic status paves the way

for equality. Income from employment may create problems of adjustment

between the spouses and with other members of the family. Consequently

it may lead to woman desertion, when other things being equal.

According to the data the pattern of woman desertion according to

income is not very glaring as 49, 23 and 28 per cents of the sample had

high, moderate and low WDRs, respectively. It means respondents in the

high income bracket lived in their respective families for at least 10 years.

Data with regard to low income respondents show that 34, 28 and 38 per

cents had high, moderate and low WDRs, respectively. The finding is that

income in general, and high income in particular, does make some

difference to woman desertion, but it is not glaring. The pattern of woman

desertion is relatively the same in both LFD and HFD samples. The finding

is that income status does make some difference to WDR. But the family

desertion does not play any significant role in influencing WDR.

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion by Rural/ Urban

Background

By and large, an individual’s behavior is shaped by the place and

conditions in which he/ she is born and brought up during his/ her

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childhood. For example, people born and brought up in urban areas are

rational and critical in their thinking. They are more impersonal in their

approaches. Marital relations are relatively formal. On the other hand, the

rural-reared are relatively conservative and tradition bound. They are less

likely to break marital bonds. However, rural society and rural people are

not the same nowadays. Villages and ruralities are undergoing a process of

transformation due to modernization. Both are experiencing radical

changes.

According to the data, 80 per cent of the sample was constituted by

rural respondents. It was observed that 75 per cent of the respondents had

high WDR. It means a majority of the urban respondents lived in the

conjugal family not more than 4 years at the maximum. On the other hand,

47, 25 and 28 per cents of the rural-based had high, moderate and low

WDRs, respectively. It means woman desertion among the rural sample is

relatively minimum and not very critically alarming and young married

women tend to stay with the conjugal family for a longer period.

Interestingly, woman desertion is visibly found in both LFD and

HFD samples, but is relatively more pronounced in HFD than in LFD

samples. The finding is that woman desertion is more alarming in urban

than in rural samples. Similarly, it is more pronounced in HFD than LFD

samples.

Chapter-6

Family Disorganization and Woman Desertion by reference to Marital

Background

Marital background in terms of age at marriage of the spouses, gap

between the spouses ages at marriage and childlessness are intimately

connected with desertion/ divorce.

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Studies conducted on the incidence of divorce have revealed that

marital background in terms of age at marriage of the spouses, disparity in

age at marriage of the spouses, childlessness, etc. are intimately related to

divorce (Koos, 1953;Baber, 1953; Jaikishen, 2009).

The objectives of this section are:

1. To know the marital background of the respondents, 2. To know whether there is any relationship between marital

background and woman desertion, 3. To know whether there is any relationship between family

disorganization and marital background, and, 4. To analyze the part played by marital background in influencing

woman desertion in association with family disorganization.

Marital Background

1. Wife’s Age at Marriage: It was observed that 33 per cent of the

respondents had married in adolescence (16-19 years), while the

remaining 67 in their early years of youth. The possible

implications are that the 33 per cent group are prone to high

desertion rate while the remaining to low desertion rate.

2. Husband’s Age at Marriage: It was found that 90 per cent of the

respondents had married in their adult (25-29 years) age, while 10

at a younger (20-24 years) age. It means men were more sexually,

physically, socially and psychologically matured at marriage.

3. Motherhood Status: Information on motherhood status of the

respondents revealed that 64 per cent were mothers, while the

remaining 36 per cent were not. It means infertile respondents

were fewer than fertile or mother respondents.

4. Gap in Age at Marriage between the Spouses: Eighty seven per

cent of the respondents had a low (1-8 years) disparity age at

marriage between the spouse there ages, wile 13 per cent had high

(9-15 years).

It means a majority of the respondents are not likely to have a low

WDRs.

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Marital Background and Woman Desertion

This section deals with the relationship between the respondents’

marital background and woman desertion.

1. Age at Marriage and Woman Desertion: The aim of this section is to

examine whether there is any relationship between the respondents’ age at

marriage and woman desertion. The hypothesis was that the lower the age

at marriage, the higher the WDR. Fifty nine per cent of the young

respondents had high WDR. But 36, 23 and 44 per cents of the older had

high, moderate and low WDR respectively. It is clear that younger

respondents deserted their husbands soon after marriage.

1. Husband’s Age at Marriage and Woman Desertion: The aim is to

know whether the husband’s age at marriage and woman desertion

are linked with each other. It was observed that 54 per cent of the

older (20-37) respondents had high WDR. But interestingly, 57 per

cent of the respondents who married early (16-19) in their life had

low WDR. It is clear that the husband’s age at marriage and wife’s

desertion are related.

2. Disparity in the Age at Marriage between Spouses and Woman

Desertion: An attempt was made to know whether (the incidence

of) disparity in (the) age at marriage between the spouses has any

relationship with WDR. It was observed that 58 per cent of the

respondents with high disparity in age had high WDR. On the other

hand, 30, 30 and 40 per cents of low age disparity respondents had

high, moderate and low WDRs respectively. It means disparity in

age at marriage and WDR are related.

Motherhood Status and Woman Desertion

The aim is to know whether there is any relationship between

motherhood status and woman desertion. According to the data, 60 per cent

of the childless respondents had high WDR. But 40, 30 and 30 per cents of

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mothers with children had high, moderate and low WDRs. It could be said

that childless respondents are more prone to WD than those with children.

Chapter-7

Post-desertion Problems

This section deals with the respondents’ post-desertion problems.

1. Accommodation: Soon after desertion more than 50 per cent of the

respondents lived with their parents and kin members. 30 percent

the remaining lived in the neighborhood along with parents.

Twenty per cent (20%) lived in rented houses.

2. Attitude towards Remarriage: More than 80 per cent of the

respondents were clear about their decision not to remarry. Twenty

per cent were not interested in remarriage, but had a soft corner

for sex. Of the respondents without children, were more inclined

towards remarriage. A keen observation revealed that a majority of

them preferred extra-marital relations rather than remarriage.

3. Raising of Children: Of the mothers with children, more than 50

per cent felt raising children was a great hardship. Most said that it

was impossible for them to control, the growing kids. They felt that

their children, due to absence of the father, were becoming juvenile

delinquents. Desertion had a deep impact on the grown up girl

children.

4. Sexual Exploitation: Deserted women, especially wage labourers

and domestic servants, were liable for sexual exploitation. Cases of

harassment and molestation were rampant. In short, deserted

women are social problems who need an immediate intervention

policy on the part of the government.

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Chapter-8

Rehabilitation of Woman Desertees

India is a welfare state. Rehabilitation of the weaker sections is the

main policy component. Rehabilitation of women desertees should be

launched on priority basis.

1. Registration of Names: Official arrangements must be initiated to

register the names of desertees with a view to provide reasonable

help for a respectable life.

2. Able and qualified women desertees should be given government

jobs.

3. Uneducated and young desertees should be given preference in

allotting SHGs.

4. Interested women desertees preferably without issues should be

persuaded to divorce their former husband and arrange for

remarriage.

In short, there is an urgent need for rehabilitating women desertees.

The main finding that emerges from the study is that woman

desertion is a common enough phenomenon. Of course, family

disorganization has its impact on woman desertion, but variations in family

disorganization are not significantly related to variations in woman

desertion. It is quite possible that woman desertion, besides family

disorganization, may be influenced by such larger variables as mass media,

peer group contact, growing empowerment of women and desire for

independent living. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further research on

the subject.

Major Findings

1. Family disorganization is becoming a common feature of lower

classes and castes in modern society.

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2. Woman desertion is increasingly becoming a common feature of

labour or lower classes.

3. Woman desertion was found more among those respondents who

were married in the age group of 16-18 years. An indepth analysis

revealed that cent per cent of them deserted their conjugal families

out of sheer anger, haste and intolerance. It was also observed that

most of them turned a deaf ear to the advices and persuasions by

their parents, kith and kin and well-wishers to join their husbands.

After a couple of years the issue reached a dead end.

4. Around 30 per cent of the respondents wanted to establish separate

households, independent of the one where parents-in-law and other

family members. When their husbands did not hear to their (wives)

demands despite their constant persuasions and pressures to their

husbands, they left their conjugal families with condition that they

(wives) would return only when their husbands established a

separate household. The husbands, however, never established

separate households because of their parental love and affection and

kinship bonds and also due to their ego-superiority. The respondents

in question never returned to their conjugal families and finally

desertion became a part of life.

5. It was found that only 20 per cent of the respondents deserted their

conjugal families due to their husband’s bad character and habits.

6. A majority finding is that a majority of the High Disorganized

Families were characterized by “Communication Gap”. Members

seldom talked to other and nursed grudges. None took the initiative

to ‘clear off’ the misunderstanding.

7. A small (20%) per cent of the respondents deserted due to domestic

violence. The major causes of woman desertion are: (1) Lower age

at marriage, and (2) Young women’s desire for an independent

living.

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