On Sunday mornings, Americans all across the nation open their newspapers. Although many individuals now primarily receive their news from electronic sources, purchasing and perusing the Sunday morning paper remains a time-honored tradition. However, not everyone reads their newspapers the same way. Some people reach first for the crossword puzzle. Others read their papers in order. And still others eagerly devour the “Weddings” section first.
The weddings section is appealing primarily because most people enjoy a good love story. This section of the newspaper generally profiles the love stories of couples who have only recently begun their journeys together. While some papers will profile the anniversaries of more established couples, most of the weddings section focuses on the engagements and marriage ceremonies of new couples. However, a recent trend is beginning to transform the ways in which this section is structured.
Increasingly, papers are starting to profile the divorce stories of certain couples in the section once reserved exclusively for new unions. The divorce stories profiled allow readers a wider view of how some love stories ultimately end, as opposed to only granting readers access to the stories of how many unions begin.
This trend highlights a reality that we frequently discuss on our blog. Quite simply, American society is increasingly viewing divorce as a transition from one phase of life to another. As opposed to treating this transition as taboo, many Americans are increasingly comfortable discussing this life event. Hopefully, this trend will continue to blossom so that individuals seeking divorces and navigating the aftermath of divorces will feel connected and supported by the society as a general whole.
Source: New York Times, “Divorce Isn’t an Option, Until It Is the Only One,” Louise Rafkin, April 3, 2015