“Divorce in the eyes of women": Examining the experience of women in cohabitation that shapes their perception of the legalization of divorce

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the experiences and perceptions of women in cohabitation towards the legalization of divorce in the Philippines. A qualitative research design and grounded theory analysis method were employed. The findings of the study revealed three key concepts or categories that influenced the participants' perspectives on divorce: family history, religion, and outside sources. Furthermore, a significant difference in perception of marriage was found between married women and single women in cohabitation. However, the participants' views on marriage did not appear to significantly affect their perspectives on divorce. Furthermore, the majority of the participants were in favor of the legalization of divorce, emphasizing the need for divorce particularly in cases of abusive relationships. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the experiences and perceptions of women in cohabitation towards the legalization of divorce in the Philippines and contribute to the knowledge on the subject matter.