Everyone wants to find love—because why not? It’s a magical feeling. But in this search for love, do divorced men have it easier than women?
“The world today is hungry for love; hungry to be wanted, to be loved.” – Mother Teresa
Finding love is a challenge. Don’t really think it’s true? Well, Cosmo India’s survey might give you better insight. A survey based on 65.4% of women and 34.5% of men, aged between 25 and 44, states that 60% of respondents are not in a relationship because they haven’t found the right person. As challenging as life gets, finding a partner is no piece of cake—and to top it all, if you are divorced in 2025, it doesn’t get any easier, despite people bragging about their open-mindedness.
In reality, even today, it is harder for a divorced man to find a new partner, and 38% agree with it. Things get even tougher if he is a single father—only a meagre 20% think otherwise.
Even though the age-old stigma around divorce has gradually lost some of its societal weight, conversations about individual happiness, mental well-being, and the right to start over have gained traction. But this shift hasn’t truly translated into a more accepting landscape for divorced men seeking new relationships.
Shifting perceptions, but…
Without a doubt, perceptions of divorce have evolved. More men today are choosing to walk away from unhappy marriages without succumbing to societal pressure—or rather, feeling confident enough to rise above its judgment.
Of course, awareness and a lot of social activism have a role in many men being able to make this decision independently. However, on the ground, there is scope for so much more improvement.
Dr. Nishant Khanna, psychologist and marriage counsellor, notes, “Society is still not fully accepting of men who have undergone a divorce. Most of the time, the man is blamed—regardless of whether his partner cheated, was abusive, or whether his in-laws mistreated him. People often find faults with men.”
No strings attached, please
It gets even worse when you are a divorcee with a child, notes Abi Samy, a counselling psychologist from Mumbai.
“Children from a previous marriage are often considered a burden or responsibility, and many women are unwilling to take on that role. There’s also a mindset of ‘not my kid, not my responsibility.’ While this doesn’t apply to all women, it is a prevalent perspective,” she says.
Moreover, single fathers are usually overburdened with physical, emotional, and financial responsibilities, making it difficult for them to date. The situation becomes even more challenging if they don’t have a strong financial background.
“To top it all, legal complications – such as custody battles or issues with an ex-partner – can also make things more difficult as many see it as a turnoff,” she adds.
The past baggage
If not societal norms, sometimes the trauma of a past marriage itself can be a hindrance. Going through a divorce brings emotional and physical trauma, which can lead to trust issues and a tendency to repeat past mistakes.
“Divorce also takes a toll on self-esteem. Picking oneself up after such an experience is difficult. While clarity and life lessons emerge from a divorce, the hurt makes men more selective about their next partner,” says Dr. Khanna.
Sam adds, “Some men may keep repeating patterns from past relationships, which means they might unknowingly seek or encounter emotionally unavailable partners or those who prefer casual dating, making serious commitment difficult.”
Some ground rules you need to follow
Happiness is your birthright, let no one deny you that. If seeking a new partner brings you happiness, so be it. But before you move forward, ensure you have recovered and healed from the trauma and “scars” of your past relationship.
Secondly, it’s crucial to be clear about what you want, says Sam—whether it’s companionship, marriage, or a casual arrangement like friends with benefits. Clear expectations are necessary.
She adds, “Often, people get into relationships because that’s what society expects. But rather than doing things the ‘society-approved’ way, men should focus on what they truly want.”
And then, never ignore the red flags. “Watch out for controlling behaviour, lack of respect, and emotional unavailability. If you notice toxic traits, distance yourself,” says Dr. Khanna.
For single fathers, a word of caution from Dr. Khanna: “If you are a single father, consider how a new relationship will impact your child. Introducing a new partner too soon can create confusion or comparisons with the past. Prioritise your child’s well-being before finalising any commitment.”
How does a divorce impact men in India?
If experts are to be believed, it isn’t any better for divorced men either. However, compared to what women face, they still have it a bit easier.
“Families are generally more accepting (comparatively) of divorced men because a lot of women look at men as providers, and this makes their marital history less of an issue,” says Abi Samy.
Adding to this, Dr. Khanna says, “It’s not that men in society are appreciated for having gone through a divorce. In fact, other men often mock them if their marriage doesn’t work out. Additionally, men are not as expressive in relationships, which creates further problems, as they are also judged for it.”
That being said, there’s no denying that when it comes to dating, men are more likely to be active on dating apps, whereas women, especially in India, do not find as much acceptance in the online dating scene, particularly when looking for a committed relationship.
Moreover, in most divorce cases, men do not get custody of their children, so the responsibility of raising kids usually falls on women. This adds another layer of difficulty for divorced men, as they have to navigate relationships while often lacking primary parental responsibility. While the father may have to pay monthly child support to financially assist the child/children, the mothers end up taking on the majority of the responsibility.