Influences of divorce process on female academians (Case study of Akdeniz University)

Changes and transformations occurring in today's societies which are in the struggle of modernization are reflected on the marriage and family institution as well, resulting in an increase of divorces in most societies. Industrialization and the accompanying urbanization process, changing working life, rise in the female and male labor force participation rate, increasing individualization and liberalization have an impact on both the marriage and family institution and divorces. This study explains functioning of the marriage and family institution and formation, development and shift of the phenomenon of divorce within the process of social change. Causes and consequences of divorce are aimed to be analyzed by gathering data related to the marriage and divorce processes of women through in-depth interviews conducted with divorced female academicians working at the Akdeniz University. In addition, how divorces, causing certain significant changes in individuals' social, economic, personal and legal status, affect women's lives, and their adaptation to the post-divorce period are analyzed. Bringing about economic hardships, social and psychological exhaustion on one hand, divorces may result in the cease of distress suffered during marriage and thus in a consequent relief. However, perceived as a way of solution and a means of liberation, particularly at a time when marriages have come to a deadlock, divorces prove to restrain women's lives in many aspects regardless of their socio-economic status at societies which have failed to abandon traditional values completely and adopt modern attitudes. Negative approach of the society towards divorced women influences every aspect of these women's lives considerably.