Under Indian law, specifically the Hindu Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act, adultery (prior to its decriminalization in 2018 under Joseph Shine vs. Union of India ) was a criminal offense. While the criminality has changed, the civil impact remains.
During custody battles in Family Courts in Kerala, evidence of becomes a weapon. One parent attempts to prove the other is of "immoral character" to gain sole custody. But what does the child want?
In the cultural landscape of Kerala, the word "Jaritham" (ജാരിതം) carries a weight heavier than its literal translation—adultery. It is not merely a marital breach; it is a social earthquake. While most discussions around infidelity focus on the betrayed spouse or the moral fabric of the couple, the silent, collateral victims are often overlooked: the children. The phrase (Adultery and Children) forces us to confront a painful reality—that the sins of the parents often script the traumas of the offspring. jarithayum makkalum
We cannot discuss without acknowledging the betrayed parent. A mother who discovers her husband's affair often falls into depression. A father cheated on may turn to alcohol. The child, now the only "stable" adult in the house, takes on a caretaker role.
It is a cardinal sin to complain to a child about your spouse's affair. The child is not your therapist or your friend. Find an adult confidant, a counselor, or a support group. Under Indian law, specifically the Hindu Marriage Act
Until we learn to separate the sexual mistake of a parent from the identity of a child, our conversations about Kudumbam (Family) remain hollow.
The heart of "Jarithayum Makkalum" lies in the dialogue between the mother and her children: During custody battles in Family Courts in Kerala,
In the conservative moral architecture of traditional Kerala society, few words carry as much explosive weight as Jaritham (Adultery). It is the ghost at the feast of the idealised nuclear family. But what happens when we shift the lens from the 'sinful' adults to the silent epicentre of the fallout—the Makkal (Children)?
Spirituality, on the other hand, provides a framework for understanding our place in the world and our relationship with something greater than ourselves. It helps individuals to develop a sense of purpose, meaning, and belonging, and provides a guiding philosophy for living a meaningful and fulfilling life.
A 5-year-old does not need to know about "Jaritham." They need to know: "Amma and Achan are having a difficult time, but we both love you very much." A teenager may need a more nuanced conversation about relationship failures without graphic detail.