Oxygen is not divalent in the way the term is usually used in chemistry.

Here's why:

* Valence refers to the number of electrons an atom can gain, lose, or share when forming chemical bonds.

* Oxygen has six valence electrons (in its outer shell). To achieve a stable octet (eight electrons) it typically gains two electrons or shares two electrons in covalent bonds.

Therefore, it's more accurate to say that oxygen has a valency of two, rather than being divalent.

Divalent usually refers to ions with a charge of +2 or -2. While oxygen forms a -2 ion (O^2-), we typically describe this as the oxide ion, not as oxygen being divalent.

Key takeaway: While oxygen has a valency of two, it is not considered divalent in the strict sense of the term.