Dear June: Divorce Wars

Photo by p r o m i s e

Dear June

Have you seen the new show, "Divorce Wars"? It's a new documentary that goes behind the scenes in high-profile divorces. I watched it the other night and knew that I wanted to get your opinion on it. I remember the things you had to say about the show "Sister Wives" and how it lended fresh perspective to something I knew in my gut wasn't right.

Sincerely, a daily reader


Dear Daily Reader,

Until you sent me this question earlier this week, I had not even heard of this new show (which aired on CNBC March 29th). I did watch it (compliments of Hulu), and, as you suggested, the program goes behind the scenes to reveal the problems that unfold in high net worth divorces.

In two specific instances, I found myself on the verge of laughing (if, in fact, there is anything acceptable to laugh about regarding divorce).

First, the premise of the show was clear: Your marriage will fail. It's a matter of time. You're an idiot if you don't plan an exit strategy.

Second, one of the women who was interviewed on the show received (among other things) $80,000 a month in alimony and child support. (Yes. Every. Month.) In what I perceived to be a sort of shocking disatisfaction, this woman claimed (on her personal blog) that the money is for the benefit of the kids.

Alright. Because I try to keep my posts shorter than War and Peace, I will give an abbreviated response.

1. The show got one part of the marriage strategy right, in my opinion. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. BUT. Planning to fail isn't good planning. If you really believe the Titanic is going to sink, why board the vessel at all?

2. It's a shame of the worst kind that marriages are less about commitment than they are about anything else. On this show, I heard less about failed relationships than I did failed financial investments. And I would guess the real mourning happened over the latter.

3. Kids don't need $80,000 a month to live good lives. Period.

In other news, I would love to do a study on whether kids grow up to make better life choices with or without access to untold millions.

Sad on so many levels.