Sushmita Sen Reflects on Her Legal Journey as a Single Mother

Overcoming Legal Hurdles

Sushmita Sen made headlines in 2000 when she adopted her first daughter, Renee. Despite the Juvenile Justice Acts being inclusive of single women adopting children, societal biases presented significant challenges.

The Emotional Journey

In a discussion with Dr. Sheen Gurrib for her YouTube channel, Sushmita shared her determination to become a mother as soon as she turned 21. The legal process, however, was filled with uncertainty. She recounted, “Once the legal battle started, I was living with the fear of losing my child, who had begun calling me ‘Ma.’”

Her father played an essential role in this journey. He showed unwavering support, signing documents to help Sushmita become a legal parent. Sushmita expressed, “I’m so proud of my father. He was told by the court to demonstrate financial intent, but he declared he would sign everything he owned for my child.” This level of sacrifice was instrumental in their success.

Challenging Societal Norms

Despite this progress, societal challenges were evident. Sushmita revealed, “The judge warned my father that no good family boy would want to marry me, but he firmly stated he hadn’t raised me just to be someone’s wife.” This unwavering belief from her father contributed to a pivotal moment in securing her adoption.

Reflecting on the experience, Sushmita recognized that her father’s relentless support led to her adopting Renee successfully at age 24. When it came to her second adoption, Alisha, a decade later, she described the process as a “cakewalk.”

“I was meant to be a mother,” Sushmita confidently stated in her interview, echoing the commitment shared by her and her family throughout this emotional journey.