Masaba Gupta discusses rejecting the stigma attached with divorce: ‘What’s the big deal?’

Gupta added to that, “People think, ‘Something’s wrong with her’. We are not encouraging divorce, it’s a lot of turmoil, but it saves you from a lot of things in life.”

Mehezabin Dordi, Clinical Psychologist at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital believes divorce is still a taboo in Indian society, evident by the fact that our country has some of the lowest divorce rates in the whole world. “Society’s judgmental behaviour is leading couples to stay in unhappy marriages risking their emotional and physical well-being to avoid judgement,” she told indianexpress.com.

Masaba Gupta discusses divorce with Sania Mirza (Source: Instagram/@servingitupwithsania)

According to her, women often face harsher societal judgment during divorce, particularly regarding their roles as wives and mothers. They endure more criticism for perceived failures to maintain a marriage, while men, though also judged, face less scrutiny. Traditional gender roles and expectations play a significant role in this disparity, with women being more closely associated with the maintenance of family and home.

However, Dordi acknowldged that this kind of societal view has fortunately changed over the years, but progress has been gradual at best. People have become more accepting of the concept of divorce, as can be noted through increasing divorce rates and greater public discourse on the subject. But this is not to say that in many cultures and communities, significant stigma still exists, and traditional views continue to influence opinions on divorce.

The role of parental support

Kruti Shah, clinical psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, added that in tough moments like divorce, what people need most is a parent who stands steady beside them. “I often tell parents, ‘Children cope best not when life is perfect, but when they feel truly seen and supported’.”

“When parents create an open space for feelings, acknowledge the child’s fears, and stay emotionally present, it reduces shame and confusion,” she told indianexpress.com. According to her, managing your own stress, keeping routines consistent, and gently challenging social stigmas help people feel grounded. And if a someone begins to feel overwhelmed, seeking timely professional support ensures they don’t navigate these transitions alone.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.