A divorce, or legal dissolution of a marriage, is the ending of a valid marriage, returning both

parties to single status with the ability to remarry.

Grounds for divorce

Cruel and inhuman treatment constitute as grounds for divorce.[2] In a proper defense,
acceptable differences enable the defendant to have the ability to arrange grounds for
divorce.[3]
Some examples for grounds for divorce are:

 Sexual harassment
 Attendant circumstance
 Adultery[3]
 Alcoholism[3]
 Disability[3]
 Desertion[3]
 Imprisonment[3]
 Domestic violence[3] (Including physical, sexual, or mental abuse of the other spouse and/or
the child/children of the couple.)
The spouse that is responsible for committing these allegations is required to confirm the
correct date and place that the allegations were committed.[3] The reason for the spouse to
confirm the allegations is to show proof that the allegations have taken place in the same
state.[3] The state then has to have the authority to administer justice by hearing and
determining the controversies.[3] Different states accept different grounds for divorce.[3] For
example, some states only accept no-fault divorce where other states accept both fault and no-
fault grounds for divorce.[3]
(From Wikipedia)

MARRIAGE: Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally recognised union

between people, called spouses, that establishes rights and obligations between them, as well ‘
as between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws. Wikipedia

The Legal Definition of Marriage

Legally speaking, marriage is a contract made in conjunction with the law, where a free man
and a free woman reciprocally engage to live with each other during their joint lives, in the
union which ought to exist between husband and wife. By the terms, freeman and freewoman
in this definition are meant, not only that they are free and not slaves, but also that they are
clear of all bars to a lawful marriage.
REFLECTION/INTRODUCTION:
Marriage is the union of a freeman and a free woman. They both agreed to live in sickness and
in health, till death do them part. While Divorce is the dissolution of marriage, the ending of the
union. In the couple marriage vows it clearly states how their marriage should end, even death,
it says, ”Till death do us part”. So, they promised to stay in love even afterlife. But now Divorce
will contradict these promises, why?
There are certain grounds to consider for a divorce and it differs from each country. Most will
say these will ensure the safety of the family, it is not healthy to stick to a dying marriage where
one could cause destruction of the others. In the 1st place, marriage was taken by 2 free willed
people, they were not forced, they came in contract with full consciousness and understanding
with what they are going to do next after their marriage vows. So why should people resort to
divorce when you can in the 1st place avoid getting into a marriage contract if you are not ready
and responsible enough. Divorce will never answer anything, it will just be like an over the
counter meds that are not prescribed and doesn’t ensure cure to the patients, it will just lessen
the symptoms but not the disease.

COUNTER ARGUMENTS ON THE GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE:

1. Violence against Wife and Children: Divorce is not the answer to lessen these cases,
there are already existing laws that a concern person can resort to, Republic Act 9262,
Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 which will penalize the person
proven to be guilty against this law. So, if there are already laws that govern the certain
problem, why do we need Divorce? Because people just want to remarry and be happy then fall
again to the option of divorce when things go wrong. If an abusive mother or abusive father
remarries then again another set of children will be abused, another woman or man will be the
victim if you will insist that divorce is the answer then you are not looking beneath the root
cause of the problem, you are just encouraging for the repetition of the problem.
2. Marital Rape / Sexual Harassment: This is also under Republic Act 9262, Anti Violence
Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. One thing in the list of punishment is
the psychological counselling or psychiatric treatment so this will answer the root cause
of the problem. There is a problem in the mind for these people. Normal people will
never hurt someone he or she loves. So, giving the right solution will and can bring
miracle to any being, even how monstrous they are.
3. Adultery and Concubinage: Philippines' law criminalizes adultery and concubinage. Both
are deemed “crimes against chastity” under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines
and are treated as sexual infidelity in the Family Code. This is very common to most
 household and sad to say this law is not fair to women. Women gets higher punishment
than men. Maybe instead of pushing the divorce bill, maybe they can check the existing
law if there is already a need for an amendment.
4. Disability, Imprisonment, Alcoholism, Addiction, Desertion: Let us get back to the
marriage vows, "I, [name], take you [name], to be my [husband/wife], to have and to
hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and
in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part." These words are pronounced
by 2 mentally normal being, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and
in health, until death do us part. So, meaning you must endure together whatever your
married life will bring. Seek help if you need help for alcoholism and addiction. Stay no
matter what sickness or disability that your partner will have because you promised in
sickness and in health. For better or for worse, imprisonment is the worst that one can
experience and it needs support from the family most especially from the partner itself.
Desertion can fall in an already existing law on legal separation and annulment. The
marriage is acknowledged to have existed, as the couple has exchanged valid vows, but
because it is not consummated, it can be ended.

CONCLUSION:

Divorce is just a bandage solution to whatever people are claiming of its benefits to
the couple or the family.

A family is the simplest yet the most influential unit of the society. We need to keep it
sacred, valued and God centered.

Rather than giving options, an easier and less expensive option like divorce to end the
union, to end a valid marriage, we must focus on empowering support system for the
family to work together according to their marriage vows and to God’s will.

Also, we think, rather than focusing on the ending or nullity of the marriage, focus on
the beginning. Why are they marrying? Are they responsible enough? Are they ready
for a lifetime commitment? Because a marriage contract has no expiry date and no
pre termination clause so why enter if you can not finish it in its term and the term is
“LIFETIME”. So, think before you sign. Let us create a more responsible generation. Let
us not create options that encourages irresponsibility. Let us not multiply the
problem. Correct it from the start. Cure the disease and not just the symptoms. Give a
prescription meds rather than an over the counter meds where anyone can get at any
time they want. Happiness never comes from destruction; it comes from inner peace
and inner peace comes from the Lord. Create a God centered families and our society
will never be wrong. The new generation will live happier and at peace together,
knowing the value of unity and not separation.