Divorces turning into money deals - Khaleej Times

Quote: ABU DHABI - Like marriages that are increasingly becoming 'business' deals based on the property or the bank balance of the future partners, divorces too are becoming a matter of money. Several people, who had to pay dearly in divorce settlements, to whom Khaleej Times spoke, narrated how huge sums of money changed hands or were demanded.

For an economist the interesting questions are how the rules for dissolution of a marriage affect the terms of a divorce. By rules we mean written rules, but also customs, culture and the sociological environment. Thus, for instance, economists would be interested in how the change away from groups of related families living in geographic proximity has affected divorce outcomes.

This is a good starting point for anyone interested in the Economics of Life (marriage and children). If anyone has seen good work on the topic from an Arab or Islamic perspective I invite you to comment or to email me.