"Untie the Knot" Parties

In article in Newsweek this week talks about the sudden popularity of divorce parties. Celebrities like  model Karen Elson and rocker Jack White have celebrity the end of their nuptials by throwing a "good-Bye" Party of sorts…good-bye to "us". There's now even an industry for this type of celebration. You've got wedding planners. Why not divorce planners? I mean, we already have the actual planners of divorces; they're called lawyers. but, I'm talking about the "reception." Sites like DivorcePartyPlanner.com are getting more clients and more coverage in the media.

So, what's the deal? Why are we able to celebrate this once stigmatized event? What's happening is that couples are excited to move on and get out of the relationship that they feel is slowing them down. both parties agree that it's a good move, so before they get to the point of hatred, they celebrate their choice together, a choice that holds hope and promise in the future, a choice they make together. Sounds a bit like marriage, eh?

See, it used to be that getting divorced was an embarrassment. So, couples that didn't want to stay together, often stayed just to avoid having to go through a divorce. but, those that finally chose to end the marriage, were usually at their wits' end and had already gotten to the point of hating their spouse. So, there was no celebration in their souls.

Today, divorce is as common as ordering a burger with the pickles on the side, although not nearly as easy or as affordable. So, couples are getting out before they can no longer stand their partners. Therefore, they feel good celebrating the end of this chapter in their lives.

I am all for divorced couples ending amicably and if they can remain friends, all the better. The problem I have is that divorce parties are on the rise, because divorce is so common. We're getting out of marriages the way teens break up in high school. No big deal. I think this is a problem, because the idea of marriage is an idea of finality. What if you don't want to be with someone forever? I have no problem with that, but then remove marriage from the equation. We need to either take closer looks at our relationships and have longer engagements before we tie the knot, or we need to work harder once we are in the relationship to make it last.

Yes, I know. Not all marriages will last, but we need to do our homework before we say "I do" to be sure we really do, as well as invest in the marriage while we are in it, so we can avoid having to throw a divorce party. But, if we do all we can and divorce is inevitable, I think the divorce soiree is a great way to end the marriage on a positive note.