TO DIVORCE OR NOT? YOUNG BLACK PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS OF DIVORCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

 This article explores young black people’s perceptions of divorce in the post-apartheid South Africa, with specific focus on factors that may influence a partner to decide whether to divorce or not. A theory of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is used to understand what is more valuable for young black people in terms of their needs in a marriage today. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with eight black unmarried third year students (four males and four females between ages 21 and 23 years old) at the University of the Witwatersrand in the year 2013. Data was analysed using a thematic content analysis to identify the key themes that emerged from the data. The findings indicate that most young black people would divorce their partner regardless of being financially dependent on them, as they feel emotional fulfilment in marriage is important than financial security.