ASHARQ ALAWSAT: Abha – A study by Saudi Arabian social researcher at the University of Umm al-Qura, Dr. Mahmoud Kisnawi, claims that 60 percent of Saudi Arabian husbands financially exploit their wives.The study argues that many working wives allowed their husbands to take advantage of their salaries, under the pretence of ensuring family stability, despite the wives religious and legal right to her complete salary.
Dr. Kisnawi confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that 60 percent of husbands utilize their wives[‘] salaries to enter the real estate market or complete the construction of a home, without taking into account the needs and desires of the wife. He added that this phenomenon contributed to the increase in divorce rates in Saudi Arabia.
Kisnawi added "in some cases, husbands have demanded that their wives provide them with large amounts of money so that they can complete the construction of their home. However these husbands may be deceiving their wives and want to complete construction in order to marry a second wife, with this [second] wife living in the home bought by the first wife's salary. This causes psychological trauma to the [first] wife and causes her to lose her trust in the sanctity of marriage, and as a result she would [therefore] seek separation and divorce."
Dr. Kisnawi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the issue of what happens with a wife's salary remains a thorny issue in Saudi Arabian society, and has contributed in the increase in divorce rates. He added "many wives perceive that their husbands are stealing their rights with regards to their monthly salary, and this causes [marital] problems, often forcing the woman to submit to her husband in order to protect the integrity of the family and the welfare of her children." >>> Fatin al-Shehri | Friday, February 25, 2011
