A study estimates a 20% rise in divorce rate during the post-pandemic phase. While being at home and being able to work from home, with family around, is a boon for some; the togetherness forced stay-at-home orders by the government has in some cases led to conflict rather than dissolution. 

When everyone is forced to stay indoors, the ideal scenario focuses on being at home with an expectation of pitching in with household chores. But as many professionals are working from home they do not get enough time to contribute to the pressure of daily chores. This creates a discord between the couple’s or family’s as well wherein, either of the spouses feels that the other is not doing enough, and she/he is burdened with all the work. This leads to the emotions of the other being non-supportive, non-compassionate, and un-caring about you—a disaster for any marriage. 

 A study showed that a lot of marriages and family settings work in India as the partners and the family members are away at work for most of the time. But the forceful confinement of family members in one space has made the people you once loved get on your nerves for the smallest of issues. “Why can’t you just switch off the air conditioner while leaving the room?” The couples have reported friction and fight with the partner, even over the smallest of issues, due to the rude words being exchanged in the heat of the moment. 

Also, the issue of patriarchy hangs heavy in most Indian homes. Men look down upon household chores such as washing utensils, helping with cleaning, kids, or cooking as strictly women-oriented jobs. For women managing all this together is not easy and when they see the men sitting and working, or lounging around, they feel short-changed. 

In addition to these reasons, the financial stress combined with repression is also another reason that’s pushing some marriages to a legal and a few families to a physical breaking point. Where a few people in the family struggle to work from home and manage the house if, one of the spouses is working, and the other faces unemployment it directly strikes the self-respect aspect. This creates disharmony in relationships and such cases have considerably spiked up after the COVID pandemic. 

Along with the actual scare of keeping yourself safe and healthy, the cases of dissatisfied relationships, familial discord have led to negative emotions and mental health issues like self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, stress, panic phases, loneliness and a sense of worthlessness.

 It is best in such scenarios to

• Keep peace by controlling angry thoughts and words definitely.
• Be empathetic about the issues other is facing.
• Talk it out frequently. Rotate household chores so that one does not feel caught. If you have been doing utensils and your spouse managing clothes, switch jobs.
• During a conflict, remove yourself from the situation. Calmly bring the situation under control and then discuss it later.
• Remind yourself that this too shall pass but a family is forever.
• Be sincere about your work and emotions.