Most of us dream of a ‘happy ever after’ marriage, yet statistics show that divorce is much more prevalent than many may realize, with around 1.36 million divorced people in India. Initially, divorce is considered one of the most stressful life experiences human beings encounter. However, recent research indicates that it can actually provide fertile opportunity for growth – especially if you are a woman!
Bouncing back from sadness
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A study published in the journal Economic a found that women are significantly happier in the five years that follow the end of their marriage than their average of ‘baseline level of happiness’ throughout their lives. Men also felt a little happier after the divorce was finalised, but the effect was much smaller. The secret to this happiness is called ‘adaptation’: the ability that people have to quickly bounce back from events previously seen as extremely negative.
Overcoming financial challenges in India
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Divorce is a big game changer when it comes to finances but women can seize the opportunity to become solo entrepreneurs. As noted in Naaree.com, in cities like Mumbai, it is estimated that around 35% of women running small- to medium-sized businesses have spouses with some interest in the business. When divorce arises, it may hamper this financial interest. If there is a doubt regarding the interests each spouse has in a business, court-approved mediators can help reach a settlement. A Scottsdale divorce lawyer that handles various family law cases notes that “Living through a divorce can be an arduous and confusing time. Divorces generally involve lawyers, court dates, and a significant amount of time and costs, if the two parties disagree on a myriad of issues.” Both partners can save on costs, hassle, and stress, by agreeing to use a collaborative divorce procedure that will see each receive an equitable percentage of what they put into a business. Women can then continue in the business or launch their own business that is 100% the product of their vision.
Indian women are resilient
In India, the share of widowed, divorced, or separated women is higher than the comparable ratio for men. The Indian Human Development Survey (IHDS) shows that the majority of those surveyed are in favour of widow remarriage yet the statistics shown that many women are choosing not do so. Some might say it is because remarriage is difficult for them, but what if they simply are happy on their own? Independence offers opportunity for growth. Journalist Alison Patton notes that those who grab this opportunity by the horns are those who make a mental shift from victim to survivor quickly, taking steps to make positive changes within the first year.
Divorce is without a doubt a big challenge for men and women. Both may have to face new economic realities, they may struggle to come to a financial settlement that both are happy with, and many may have joint shares in a business. Accepting what one cannot change is key to progress in all states of life. By working together from a basis of empathy and understanding, couples can put their money where their mouth is, showing real commitment to finding a win-win solution for the end of something that they once thought would last forever.
Disclaimer: The above is a guest post
