How does infidelity lead spouses to choose unreasonable behaviour instead?

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Adultery is Often Cited as Unreasonable Behaviour Due to Legal Proof Requirements

In civil divorces in Singapore, spouses frequently cite "unreasonable behaviour" as the grounds for divorce, even when infidelity is the underlying issue. This choice is largely driven by the differing legal requirements and evidential burdens associated with proving adultery under the Women's Charter, making "unreasonable behaviour" a more accessible and practical legal path to divorce.
Higher Evidential Burden for Adultery

Proving adultery in a civil divorce requires a higher standard of evidence. This often necessitates substantial proof, such as reports from private investigators or photographic evidence, to establish that a spouse has engaged in a sexual relationship with a third party. The stringent evidential requirements mean that pursuing divorce solely on the grounds of adultery can be complex and costly.
Unreasonable Behaviour as a Broader Legal Ground

"Unreasonable behaviour" serves as a more encompassing legal ground for civil divorce, covering a wide spectrum of conduct that can lead to marital breakdown. This includes not only infidelity but also various other issues such as abuse, controlling behaviour, addiction, gambling, and financial neglect. Its broad definition makes it simpler to establish in court compared to the specific, high-threshold proof required for adultery.
Discrepancies in Divorce Statistics Between Civil and Muslim Divorces

The statistics for civil and Muslim divorces in Singapore highlight a significant difference in how infidelity is reported. While only 0.9% of civil divorces cited adultery in 2025, infidelity was cited as the main issue in 18.4% of Muslim divorces. Lawyers explain that this disparity reflects the distinct legal frameworks rather than a substantially higher prevalence of adultery among Muslim couples. Muslim divorce statistics record the stated reason for breakdown, whereas civil divorces require adultery to be proven as a specific legal fact.

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How does infidelity lead spouses to choose unreasonable behaviour instead?

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