Chinese authorities use quiz to urge attempted divorcees think twice

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According to a survey by China Youth Daily, over 7 out of 10 respondents agreed that making divorce procedures more complex and longer could help save more marriages.

In east China’s Jiangsu Province, the marriage registration office of Donghai County decided to try this out by asking couples who apply for divorce to take a quiz before starting the procedure.

The questions range from birthdays of the couples’ parents, important anniversary dates and their children’s favorite snacks. They are designed to let couples reflect on their relationship and think twice before making the final decision.

The "divorce quiz" posted on Weibo. /Weibo Screenshot

The first respondents were a married couple with two children, and the woman scored 100 points while the man had 0. The staff at the office thought that the woman still had deep feelings for the man and the family, and asked the man to think deeply.

The quiz was soon posted on Weibo and quickly sparked heated debate among its users. Some netizens think that the test is a good idea that allows the couple to recall the details of their marriage. However, some netizens are a lot more skeptical, "If they can get 100 points, should they be divorced or not? Divorce is not amnesia.”

In addition, some netizens think that divorce belongs to the rights of citizens, and that making divorce proceedings more complex is inappropriate. “Divorce is the people's right. Even if you regret after divorce, you can remarry. And if you can’t remarry, you can taste regret. Have you never regretted anything in your life? Do you even call it 'life'?”

Donghai’s civil affairs bureau responded on Chinese social media Weibo. /Weibo Screenshot

Due to the heated discussion online, Donghai’s civil affairs bureau responded on Weibo that the divorce paper is non-compulsory. In addition, the marriage registration office also published marriage papers for newly registered couples as well as marriage advice. The goal is to bring rational thinking into marriage, and seriousness consideration of love, marriage, and family.

It is not the first time such a test has been implemented in China. Last year, news of a similar divorce examination was set up by a court in Yibin City in China's Sichuan Province.

Also, anyone who seeks to annul their marriage in a district in Shandong Province must cool off for three months. After that, the couples can either file for divorce or request to extend their term of contemplation.

Divorce rates have reportedly surged in China in recent years. According to the country’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, a total of 1.85 million couples divorced in the first half of 2017, up 10.3 percent from one year ago.

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