My heart goes out to the children of divorcees. They are a divided lot, because they are never fully at home. One should read Elizabeth Marquardt's 'Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce' . She ably brings out the attitudinal problems in them. For example, the way in which divorced kids try to keep secrets from their parents, and even to lie to one parent so as not to betray the other. The divorced child is perpetually uprooted. He or she becomes a guest in two new families. Their loyalties are divided. Their longings are divided. They live in an empty vacuum. The fact is that no child can be expected to have a complete life without both the parents.

The supreme Court of India has regretted that the growing number of divorce cases in the country was having a disastrous effect on children of families which get broken. And, this is a serious, if belated, concern that the opinion leaders of our society should, with a sense of urgency deal with. Expressing concern over an increasing number of divorce cases flooding the courts, the Supreme Court has observed that the Hindu Marriages Act had done more harm to the family system in the country than strengthening it. "The Hindu Marriages Act has broken more homes than uniting," a vacation Bench of Justices Mr Arijit Pasayat and Mr GS Singhvi observed. "Even at the time of marriages, anticipatory divorce petitions are being filed," the bench remarked sarcastically.

"Ego should get dissolved for the sake of the child," the Bench remarked. The apex court told the separated couple that it was more concerned with the welfare of the child, rather than the mutual recrimination between the two. "Ultimately the child suffers. If it is a girl the trauma is more, particularly at the time of the marriage of such children," Mr Justice Pasayat speaking for the Bench observed. The SC lamented that the provisions provided in the Hindu Marriages Act for granting divorce were being misused by some couples."In those days our forefathers never had such problems," the apex court observed while stating that marital disputes during the olden days were sorted out within the four walls of the house.

I am reminded of the opening lines of a song : "Mom hates dad, Dad hates mom, it all makes you feel so sad."