Children of divorce in Nepal face lasting emotional, financial strain

For many children in Nepal, parental divorce casts a long shadow, leading to enduring emotional and financial strain. Khusi Gurung, 21, who moved to Japan for studies, was raised by her maternal family after her parents separated when she was two. Though she lacked early memories of the divorce, adolescence brought a profound emotional awareness of her altered family structure.

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I was two years old when my parents separated. I don’t really remember anything from that period. As I grew older, I gradually understood that they were living separately and not together as a family.

As Khusi navigated her teenage years, the contrast between her life and that of her peers became a significant source of distress. "When I saw my friends being cared for by both parents, going out together, or celebrating birthdays as a complete family, I used to think how different my life would have been," she recalled. This comparison fueled feelings of loneliness and a sense of missing something fundamental, even while surrounded by supportive relatives.

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When I saw my friends being cared for by both parents, going out together, or celebrating birthdays as a complete family, I used to think how different my life would have been if my parents were still together.

"It created a sense of loneliness, even if I was surrounded by people who cared about me," Khusi explained. The emotional weight intensified during adolescence but has since eased as she has focused on college and work. Her experience highlights the complex, often delayed, emotional impact of divorce on children, particularly during formative years.

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Sometimes I could not sleep at night thinking about it. Even small comments from others would make me feel like I was missing something fundamental.

Another teenage boy in Kathmandu faces similar long-term emotional and financial stress. His father, who initially went abroad after taking loans, gradually ceased contact and financial support, leaving the boy and his mother to cope with the consequences. These accounts underscore the lasting difficulties faced by children navigating the aftermath of parental separation in Nepal.

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It created a sense of loneliness, even if I was surrounded by people who cared about me.