COVID-19’s Impact on Marriage: Divorce Inquiries Surge as Stay-Home Measures Strain Hong Kong Couples
Extended periods of being cooped up at home, juggling childcare, and grappling with pandemic-induced stress have left many Hong Kong couples struggling to keep their relationships intact.
Wendy Cheung, confined with her husband and son in a 100 sq ft subdivided flat, found the strain unbearable. Arguments over hygiene, finances, and parenting escalated, pushing her to decide on divorce after eight years of marriage.
The fear of coronavirus infection, prolonged confinement, and social isolation have become heavy burdens on relationships. Helplines are overwhelmed with calls from distressed individuals seeking help for domestic conflicts, and family lawyers are reporting a sharp rise in divorce inquiries.
They say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” but what happens when the opposite is true? The pandemic has forced couples to spend most of their time indoors, with the stress of the virus compounding relationship challenges.
I had the opportunity to share my insights on this issue in a South China Morning Post article, highlighting how covid 19’s impact on marriage is reshaping relationships and fueling a rise in divorces in Hong Kong. Follow the story here.
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