‘No pressure on me': Syra on marrying again

 
 
 What does it take to live life on your own terms as a single mother in the spotlight? Actress, model Syra Yousaf has the answer. 
 

 
Appearing as a guest on Mashion’s Mashadi podcast, Syra opened up about remarriage, societal pressure and financial independence.   

When host Tamkenat Mansoor asked if Syra felt pressure from society or family about marrying again, the actress replied: "I think, you know, recently the divorce rates have also gone up, so, I see it this way, even our elders are now beginning to understand that it's not that easy to end something and get into something new. At least, in my family, everyone is very chilled out. They’re like, 'Do it at your own pace.'” 

 The Mere Naseeb actress talked about societal expectations, saying, “Society, on the other hand, sometimes says, 'Don't be alone,' and things like that. And, of course, the importance of having a male figure in your life is acknowledged. So, in that sense, yes, sometimes there is pressure. But I think people have become more accepting of single mothers not settling for 'just anyone.' There isn’t this constant push that remarriage is a must.”

 
On the topic of financial independence, Syra emphasized its vital role in decision making, especially for single mothers. 
 
“For those people, financial independence is extremely important because you can’t make decisions without it. And if you have daughters, like I have a daughter, it becomes even more important to set an example for them. If I can make decisions, it’s because I am financially independent," she explained.
 

 When asked about the qualities she seeks in a partner, Syra’s answer reflected her strong personal belief. 

 
 She said, “I think, for me, what's really important in a person is that they have to be God-fearing. If you're not God-fearing, then it's important because that eventually reflects in so many aspects of your life actually every aspect of your life, your personality, and so on. So yeah, I think for me, it's really important that the person I'm considering is God-fearing.”

Talking about red flags in a relationship, the Sinf-e- Aahan actress said, “For me, I know that if somebody, for example, is rude to people providing them a service, like if you go somewhere and they're rude to waiters or staff, then I'm like, 'No, not this person.' Because that reflects secondhand embarrassment. Yes, if someone is rude to staff or anybody in a position of service, not just staff but even in regular interactions, I feel very anxious about that.”

Syra Yousaf and Shahroz Sabzwari tied the knot in 2012 and divorced in 2020.