Over 50% of marriages end in divorce, according to famed divorce attorney James Sexton. If a car salesman told you that “There’s a 50% chance the brakes don’t work on this car”, you wouldn’t buy it. You wouldn’t even take it for a test drive. But somehow, and understandably so, we are all victim to the blinding veil of love.
We spoke to an expert on the matter, Samara Iqbal, Solicitor, Director, and Founder of Aramas International Lawyers, and have some fun facts for our UAE expats who may be considering tying the knot, or are wondering why so many knots keep getting untied.
To set the mood for this very uplifting piece, here’s a clip of Adam Driver having a complete meltdown in Marriage Story.
Divorces among expats in the UAE stem from a variety of reasons ranging from cultural, environmental, to no sense of belonging. But here are the main factors, according to Iqbal.
Cultural Differences
Expatriate couples tend to come from diverse, and alternate, cultural backgrounds compared to the norms of the UAE, which can put a lot of strain on relationships. Differences in values, traditions, and expectations may lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication, which, unfortunately, results in divorce.
Work-Related Stress
As an American who has spent many years in Europe, I immediately noticed the similarities between Dubai’s expected work ethic, and that of my motherland (when my European friends discover the amount of paid vacation days per year in the US, or lack thereof, they panic). The fast paced environment of the UAE, especially in Dubai, can be demanding, and with uninitiated expats facing long working hours, it can be hard to maintain a work-life balance. This is why date nights are so important!
Financial Strain
The cost of living in the UAE, particularly Dubai, can be high (although if it’s between London and Dubai, Dubai is undoubtedly more feasible). In a city that promotes champagne breakfasts and year-round yacht parties, it can be hard to keep up, resulting in disagreements over finances.
Relocation Challenges
Moving to a new country, let alone a continent, requires serious adjustments. The relocation can prove very stressful and challenging, especially adapting to a new lifestyle and building a social life. As we learned from the massive spike in divorce during Covid, being caged together for too long is never good. So if you’re both going to move to Dubai, make sure at least one of you is good at making friends.
Legal Complexities
The legal system in the UAE can be quite alien to navigate for expats who are wholly unfamiliar to these new policies. Varied legal procedures, especially those concerning family matters, can set the tone for a slew of incoming challenges for unaware expat couples.
Expat Lifestyle
This is a hard one to navigate, because with a different environment comes different lifestyles, different codes of conduct, and, most sinisterly, different temptations. According to relationship coach, Sadia Khan, navigating Dubai’s dating scene is a very dark affair, and if a relationship is already on shaky legs, then tread cautiously.
Teacher: “Can we repeat what we all learned today?”
Classroom in unison: “Sweeping things under the rug is not a good idea.”
