Something's Wrong Here

I'm watching CNN. And here's my thought.

Well, actually, two thoughts. First, the 'story' being covered at the moment (on a show called Showbiz Tonight) is a special report called "The Least Shocking Hollywood Divorces: The Ones We All Saw Coming." First of all, I was under the impression that CNN was a reputable news outlet. An hour ago I was watching breaking coverage of the polygamy story out of Texas. You know, the one that can at least be considered socially relevant. My criticism of CNN's sensational reporting aside, I think that coverage of stories like that one can be excused. But how any self-respecting journalist working at a network such as CNN can talk about Pamela Anderson and her numerous divorces with a straight face on national television is completely beyond me.
This brings me to my second point, which pertains to the content in the story itself. When, in the course of American history, did divorce become socially acceptable, and sometimes even encouraged? If I had to answer [my rhetorical question], I would say somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty and fifty years ago. I think it no small coincidence that about this time, the entertainment industry was beginning its emergence into the mainstream consciousness of the American people. When people in unhappy marriages see their favorite actor getting divorced, it somehow becomes less of a moral issue and more of a social one. Perhaps when people begin thinking more introvertedly, they can realize that the sanctity of marriage has the potential to survive more often than it does to fail.
Do a quick Google search for "divorce." You'll find Easy Online Divorce from CompleteCase.com and Online Divorce filing from 3StepDivorce.com. When did what used to be thought of as a taboo within social circles become as easy as three steps? It's all around us. It's become more normal than it used to be abnormal. In high school, I had four of the closest friends I could have ever asked for. Three of those five families were divorced families. Fortunately, all of my friends were relatively young when their parents divorced, and managed to cope with the stresses of a double-family. Not all kids are so lucky. Maybe it's about time that we payed attention to one another, instead of throwing in the towel before we take the time to break a sweat.