OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Open-access peer-reviewed journal
https://doi.org/10.64211/oidaijsd190313
Experience of forgiving in Indian marriages: A Qualitative Inquiry
Wellington Mthokozisi Hlengwa
Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, Kwadlangezwa, South Africa.
Corresponding author: hlengwam@unizulu.ac.za
Volume 19, Issue 03, Pg. 195-202, 2026.
Abstract: The lack of knowledge about forgiveness in Indian marriages in South Africa creates difficulty in understanding the implications and cultural sensitivity regarding forgiveness between spouses. There is a need to explore the experiences of forgiveness in Indian marital relationships by providing a thorough understanding of the aspects that influence the process of forgiveness to better enhance the knowledge of health promotion interventions and understanding of cultural sensitivity in marriage counselling. This article discusses the understanding of forgiveness in marriages, participant’s life experiences, psychosocial and cultural influences of forgiveness and explores ways on how to promote forgiveness in Indian marriages. It presents 8 participants, 4 married men and 4 married women from middle socioeconomic areas in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. The ecological systems theory was utilised as a framework for the study and data collected was evaluated, organised and analysed through thematic analysis. Through focusing on the participants understanding of forgiveness in their marriage, their lived experiences of forgiveness, the psychosocial and cultural influences and how to promote forgiveness in their marriage. The study found that participants experienced forgiveness more positively, allowing trust and harmony to be recreated in both their spousal and/or family systems. Reconciliation in Indian marriages plays a crucial role and affects participants’ family system, spousal system, psychological health and well-being. The study also found that personality, cultural and theological influences were the leading motivators of forgiving in Indian marriages. Participants promoted marital counselling and face-to-face conversations about transgressions in their spousal system to assist marital forgiveness in Indian marriages.
Keywords: forgiveness, Indian marriages, spouses, thematic analysis, KwaZulu Natal
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