Former tennis star Sania Mirza has spoken candidly about divorce, co-parenting and the emotional realities children face when families separate, saying that while separation does affect children, the focus should be on choosing what is ultimately healthier for them.
In a conversation with filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan, Sania addressed a subject that is often discussed in whispers but rarely with honesty — the fear parents carry about how divorce impacts a child.
‘There is no zero-impact situation’
Sania acknowledged that children are affected by separation, but challenged the idea that staying together at any cost is always better.
“A child will get affected anyway,” she said, emphasising that conflict, unhappiness and unhealthy relationships can leave deeper scars than separation handled with care. According to her, the real question parents must ask is what kind of environment they want their child to grow up in.
Choosing peace over pretence
Sania explained that children are perceptive and often sense emotional distress even when adults try to hide it. Growing up around tension, unresolved conflict or emotional withdrawal can shape how children understand relationships.
She suggested that choosing peace, stability and emotional honesty — even if it means living apart — can sometimes offer children a healthier upbringing than maintaining a strained relationship for appearances.
Co-parenting over blame
The tennis icon stressed the importance of co-parenting, mutual respect and shielding children from adult conflicts. She said children should never feel forced to “pick sides” or carry the emotional burden of their parents’ decisions.
According to Sania, consistency, love and communication matter more to a child than the physical structure of a family.
Breaking the stigma
Sania’s comments also touched on the societal stigma surrounding divorce, especially for women and public figures. She noted that fear of judgment often pushes people to stay in unhappy situations, even when it affects mental health — both for parents and children.
By speaking openly, she said she hoped to normalise conversations around separation, mental well-being and responsible parenting.
A message to parents
Sania’s core message was clear: there are no perfect answers, but conscious choices matter.
“Understanding what is better” for a child, she said, means prioritising emotional safety, respect and long-term well-being — not just preserving a family image.
Why her words resonated
The conversation struck a chord with many because it reframed divorce not as a failure, but as a difficult decision that can still be rooted in love and responsibility.
In a society where divorce is often seen as trauma by default, Sania Mirza’s perspective offers a more nuanced truth — that children don’t just need togetherness; they need emotional health.
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