We live in a society that forces unhappy couples to stick together and if they choose to walk out of toxic marriage, it leaves no stone unturned in shaming them. In this ugly fight between what society expects from the couple and what the couple wants for themselves, even the kids are not spared. Many are quick to label these kids as kids from broken families and many try to ostracize them.
Recently in an interview with Netflix’s ‘Behensplaining,’, actor Renuka Shahane, opened up about being ostracised as a kid after her parents’ divorce. Her heart-breaking story is just an ugly reminder of how our society stigmatizes divorce. Her experience just reveals the ugly reality of how toxic taboo surrounds divorce.
Renuka Shahane shared how other people’s reaction to her parents’ divorce affected her. She was eight-years-old when she found herself being isolated from her friends by their parents. It is so heartbreaking how this eight-year-old’s friends were told not to play with her. And, all this just because her parents were divorced.
But, what is even more disappointing was how some people referred to her family with terms like ‘broken family’. She further shared how many people used it as an excuse to justify the seclusion of such a young kid by so-called adults. She even added how some people labeled even association with her as a negative influence on their families.
Our Society and The Burden Of Divorce That It Lays On Women
Even though it is the 21st century, still so many Indian women are carrying the burden of being divorced. Any woman who dares to step out of the confines of marriage is called names and ostracised. She is shamed for taking a stand for herself.
Sadly, the way our society labels divorce, many women chose to suffer in silence than ending the marriage. The fear of her kids being ostracised leaves many women no option but to stay in an abusive marriage.
It is very important that we as a society, stop the glorification of the institution of marriage. We need to start having conversations about how our society needs to be more empathetic and supportive towards people going through a divorce. Because in the end, divorce isn’t a tragedy. Staying in an unhappy marriage is!
