Divorce as a Lived Experience among the Lebanese Druze: a Study of Court Records and Proceedings

The Druze community in Lebanon constitutes an esoteric religious community characterized by a rejection of any challenge to traditional family values. Research on family relations among this group is scant because of their refusal to disclose information to others. This article looks at one aspect of Druze family life – divorce through a study of court records, proceedings and mediation. The research revealed that consent is favored, even within conflict, with very few contested divorces appearing before the court. Druze women assert their legal rights to divorce, in court negotiations are exhaustive but very rare, and the aftermath of divorce continues to haunt women when it comes to child visiting rights. Change in the particularities of divorce are noticeable as perceived by the judge and mediator. Nevertheless, gender inequalities persist and legal systems that continue to discriminate against women dominate, although divorce laws have become more progressive.