Media’s Glamorization of Divorce
In the past weeks, each time I’ve searched ‘divorce’ online, endless articles about Jay-Z and Beyonce’s apparently broken relationship come up. The articles speculate every aspect of their divorce, from warning signs of their rocky relationship, rumored infidelity, how their divorce will affect their concert tour, what will happen to their daughter and more. Even though there has never been an official separation or divorce announcement, fans across the world quickly devour these articles. Similarly, every time I pass by magazines for sale, I inevitably see the covers, which house the stories the magazine deems to be most intriguing to its readers, filled with photos of newly divorcing celebrities. It is undeniable that even more than the media loves to publish celebrities’ relationship drama, the public craves to know about it. But how is so much exposure to celebrity divorce affecting the public?
Sending mixed messages to the public
While it can be fun to stay up to date on the latest celebrity gossip, it’s important not to let the media’s glamorization of divorce make you lose sight of reality.
‘Disposable marriages’
The media seems to be sending out the image that marriage is disposable. Kim Kardashian’s infamous 72-day marriage dominated headlines for weeks, and most publicized divorces follow only a few years long marriages. While the ‘seven year itch’ (the theory that couples are most susceptible to divorce during their first seven years of marriage) has been proven statistically true, the media makes it appear abnormal for a marriage to extend beyond those beginning years. A magazine rarely features a famous couple celebrating their twentieth anniversary. It is necessary for people, especially the younger generations, to recognize that though not all marriages work out, going into a marriage is meant to be a life-long commitment.
Inaccurate depiction of divorce
A majority of articles about celebrity divorce revolve around the rumored scandals prompting the divorce. They talk about when the relationship started to go wrong and maybe briefly mention how the celebrity is coping. However, the media glamorizes divorce, greatly understating a divorce’s significance. In reality, divorce is an extremely emotionally taxing process. As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I know that divorce can be time-consuming and financially burdensome, which isn’t mentioned in the case of wealthy celebrities. In keeping up with celebrities, it is important for the public not to underestimate the weight of a divorce.
If you have any questions about divorce or divorce in Chicago, please contact me.
