DOHA • A novel trend is emerging in the Qatari society whereby mostly already married men apparently bored with their existing wives, pick a new spouse to spend time with during holidaying abroad in the summer months, reports a local Arabic daily.

Young women who are from poor families, divorcees and widows are the ones who are mostly available for such temporary marriages. "The phenomenon is widespread in other GCC states, but gradually it is spreading to Qatar as well. There have been a few instances of such marriages taking place here," the daily quoted a Qatari woman social worker as saying.

The man who picks such a wife, divorces her after his summer vacation overseas has ended. "The women who are going in for such marriages look only for fun and financial benefits," said the social worker.

Such temporary weddings are leaving an adverse impact on society and need to be checked, she added. According to the social worker, the mushrooming of TV channels and information explosion is to blame for the unprecedented trend.

The end-sufferer in this nasty game, which will lead to more divorces, are the wife and children of the man who is going in for temporary marriage. "I suggest that instead of going in for a temporary marriage, one should have a full-fledged second marriage. This way, the second wife will have her rights protected," said the social worker.

Higher costs of conventional marriage and added responsibilities are the main causes of why men prefer to have a temporary wife during summer holidaying abroad.

As for younger and unmarried people going in for such temporary marriages, there is a need to provide them financial assistance so that they can opt for traditional marriage, said the social worker.