Psychological Trauma of Divorce and Custody Battles on Children's in Custody by Manju Kapur

Divorce and custody battles have emerged as significant social realities in contemporary society, often leaving a deep psychological impact on children who become silent victims of parental conflict. Manju Kapur’s novel Custody presents a realistic portrayal of marital breakdown and the ensuing legal struggle for child custody, highlighting its emotional and psychological consequences on children. This research paper examines the psychological trauma experienced by children as a result of divorce and prolonged custody disputes in the novel. Using a psychological and literary analytical framework, the study explores themes such as emotional insecurity, identity crisis, parental alienation, behavioural changes, and loyalty conflicts faced by children caught between warring parents. The characters of Arjun and Roohi exemplify how children suffer from anxiety, confusion, and emotional neglect while being treated as objects of possession rather than individuals with emotional needs. The paper further reveals how parental ego, societal pressure, and legal interventions often fail to prioritize child welfare, thereby intensifying psychological distress. Through Custody, Manju Kapur critiques the modern family structure and underscores the urgent need for empathy, emotional responsibility, and child-centric approaches in custody decisions. The study concludes that the trauma inflicted by divorce and custody battles can leave long-lasting emotional scars on children, affecting their psychological development and future relationships.