Veteran Pakistani actress Saba Faisal recently opened up about the complex realities of marriage in our society, offering heartfelt advice for both men and women navigating post-marital relationships. Drawing from her personal experiences and years of observation, Saba candidly addressed the importance of mutual respect, family dynamics, and the emotional challenges faced by both partners in a marriage.
Speaking during a recent interview, Saba Faisal shared a nuanced view on how men often remain emotionally tied to their families, especially their mothers, even after getting married. She emphasized that in most cases, a man’s attachment to his family, especially his mother’s preferences, doesn’t vanish after marriage — and women must understand this as part of the cultural reality.
In my experience,she said, it’s rare for boys to change completely after marriage. They carry their parents’ likes and dislikes with them, particularly their mother’s. Even if they seem to change in the early days of marriage due to new love or excitement, that change is usually temporary. It doesn’t last permanently.
A Marriage Between Families — Not Just Two Individuals
Saba went on to explain that marriage in South Asian culture isn’t just a personal bond between two individuals — it’s a union of two families. She stressed the shared responsibility that both the bride and groom have in nurturing the relationship and making it work, especially amid the expectations from their respective families.
In our society, marriage is not just about a boy and a girl — it’s a marriage between two families,she explained. So both partners must take great care in handling the relationship, being mindful of each other’s emotional baggage and familial obligations.
Saba acknowledged that while a girl typically moves into a new household and must adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, it is often the boy who carries the heavier emotional load — balancing his obligations to his parents with the demands of a new relationship.
The girl enters a new environment and might feel out of place. But it’s the boy whose responsibilities increase significantly. He has to manage both — his family and the new partner. If any difficulty arises, it can become emotionally overwhelming for him.
Message to Women: Don’t Feel Insecure About His Love for His Family
In a powerful message aimed at women, Saba Faisal urged young wives not to feel threatened by their husband’s love or respect for his mother or other family members. Instead, she encouraged them to see it as a positive sign.
If your husband respects his mother, sisters, or other relatives, don’t feel insecure. A man who respects his family is more likely to respect you as well,she noted. Respect is the foundation of every successful relationship. Jealousy or competition within a household will only cause pain.
Saba emphasized that instead of demanding change from their spouses, women should observe how their husbands treat others, especially family members, as it reflects the depth of their character. She believes that empathy, patience, and understanding from both sides are crucial in sustaining a healthy marriage.
A Lesson in Realistic Expectations
Wrapping up her thoughts, Saba Faisal stressed the need for realistic expectations in a marriage, and how crucial it is for both partners to recognize and adapt to the realities of each other’s lives and responsibilities.
Her heartfelt words offer valuable guidance not just to newlyweds, but to anyone navigating the emotional terrain of relationships in a traditional cultural context. As someone who has seen both personal and professional challenges, Saba’s advice resonates with many — urging couples to prioritize mutual respect, communication, and emotional maturity above all.
In a world where fairy tale expectations often collide with hard realities, Saba Faisal’s perspective serves as a much-needed reminder: love is not just about romance — it’s about resilience, respect, and responsibility.
