Abstract
This study examined, through a qualitative approach, the viewpoints and beliefs toward divorce held by people who have experienced a divorce. In-depth interviews with divorced individuals (two males and twelve females) were conducted for this study. The findings of the study are summarized as follows. First, the participants of the study had a tendency to withdraw. In other words, they felt powerless and lonely, and they think of themselves as a failure. Second, they clearly recognized the double standard in society toward divorce. They strongly felt that people who had shown tolerant attitudes toward divorce when it was a distant phenomenon suddenly took a different attitude when a divorce occurred to a relative. The fact that openly stated viewpoints toward divorce can be significantly different than unstated attitudes made the participants' lives still harder by adding another burden to the difficulties they already faced from the divorce. As a result, they would rather hide the fact that they were divorced than be open about it with other people. Aside from highly significant others, they attempted to conceal their divorce from others whenever possible. Third, as people who have already experienced divorce, they seem to take a more careful attitude toward divorce than those who have not experienced a divorce. The participants pointed to the social responsibilities to promote public understanding and a sense of value about divorce, and they hoped that our society would communicate better about the difficulties of getting divorced from the perspective of those who have experienced divorce. The participants believed this would ultimately contribute to preventing divorce among others. This study is expected to expand understanding toward the phenomenon of divorce in Korean society, and further, to provide basic information for a clearer understanding of the current state of the Korean family.
