'Missing' dads key to family breakdown: study

Absence of fathers from home for long durations is one of the primary reasons for family disintegration in the UAE.

According to a latest study by Family Development Foundation, 85 per cent respondents believe fathers staying away from home either for business reasons or otherwise is the cause of unstable families, reported 'Al Khaleej' newspaper.

About 78 per cent believe mothers leaving children with househelps lead to disintegration of families, while a whopping 73 per cent saying parental involvement in family matters is subsiding.

The study highlights the increasing divorce rates in Arab Gulf states. The UAE leads Gulf states in divorce rates with 40 per cent, as the number of UAE citizens divorcing non-ctizen wives is on the rise.

Divorce rate in Abu Dhabi increased from 30-32 per cent between 2005 and 2008, according to reports from the Statistics Centre of Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, another study conducted in Sharjah during 2007-08 showed the changing roles of UAE parents impacting childrens' character. About 91.63 per cent respondents said the changing of roles in the family is a serioous issue that is affecting family life adversely.

Meanwhile, 91.57 per cent said working mothers had a big impact on family disintegration. Similarly, 32.90 per cent believe relying on domestic help is increasing the rate of family disintegration.

The study said in case of separation, alimony should be paid until a child can work and stand on his own feet. However, the long judicial process in cases where fathers do not pay has resulted in children sufering. The study recommended the need to ensure the dignity of women and children is kept and they are provided financial stability at all costs at all times. A system such as automatic deduction of alimony amount from the man's salary and transfer of the same to the woman should be made mandatory. Only this can avoid the long legal battle, it added.

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