Mumbai: Legendary Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag and his wife, Aarti Ahlawat, one of cricket’s most iconic couples, are reportedly moving towards divorce after almost 20 years of marriage. This marks another addition to the growing list of ‘grey divorces,’ a trend where couples, often later in life, decide to part ways after decades of marriage—an age once associated with golden years spent together.
Grey divorce refers to couples in their late forties, fifties, and beyond, who decide to separate after spending decades together. This growing trend is gaining attention not in urban India, where shifting social norms and changing expectations are reshaping the concept of personal happiness, even in the later stages of life.
Zulekha Shakoor Rajani, a psychologist at the Mind and Brain Hospital in Bengaluru explains the underlying factors driving the grey divorce trend.
Why are grey divorces on the rise?
According to psychologist Zulekha Shakoor Rajani, while each marriage is unique, couples experiencing grey divorce often face similar challenges and emotions. These include:
1. Rediscovering individuality
As children grow up and leave home, many couples are left facing the quiet of an empty house. This silence can lead to the realisation that they have grown apart over the years. This moment of self-discovery often sparks a desire to create new love maps.
2. Shifting priorities and desires
With longer life expectancies, couples often take time to reassess their goals and desires. For some, this reflection leads to a painful recognition that their lives have diverged, making it difficult to continue together.
3. Financial issues
Disagreements over finances, particularly around retirement savings and pensions, can create significant strain in long-term marriages. As couples approach retirement, financial pressures often exacerbate existing tensions, pushing them towards separation.
4. Infidelity and emotional strain
Over time, issues like infidelity, emotional neglect, and unresolved conflicts accumulate, leading to irreparable damage. For many, the emotional toll of staying together outweighs the potential for reconciliation.
5. Society’s perspective on divorce
Increasing financial independence, particularly among women, and the diminishing stigma surrounding divorce are allowing more individuals to seek happiness outside of unsatisfying marriages. This shift in societal perceptions has made it more acceptable to end relationships, regardless of age.
While Sehwag and Ahlawat’s separation highlights the reality of grey divorces, it also reflects broader shifts in attitudes toward marriage and personal fulfilment.
As society evolves, so too do the expectations around relationships, making it crucial for individuals to prioritise their happiness and well-being.
The rise of grey divorces marks the beginning of a new era where individuals are more willing to embrace new beginnings, even after many years together. This trend prompts important reflections on the dynamics of long-term relationships and the underlying factors that contribute to their eventual dissolution.
Virender Sehwag and Aarti Ahlawat’s reported separation after nearly 20 years of marriage brings attention to the increasing trend of long-term marriages ending. As couples choose to part ways later in life, we explore the key factors behind the dissolution of these relationships and the shifting perspectives on marriage in today’s world. Relationships Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
