filed in Myths and stereotypes
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
After the satisfying piece about the science of single life, I shuddered when I read this today in the style section of the New York Times. “Pippa Middleton finds her storybook ending.” I don’t keep up with the Royals, so I hadn’t been following Princess Kate’s sister’s relationship woes. But apparently, she’s finally found a husband. He’s handsome, rich and happily ever…. Whatever.
The Date by Grace Weaver
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6 comments for “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back”
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Meh, it’s just something that happened that gives that reporter something to write about. The Royal Wedding was such a hit that repeating that success is pretty tempting. I’m not qualified to comment on whether or not they’re happy, but it’s not really accurate to call it an ending,is it? So we already know the title, and possibly the article, is at least 50% false. Whatever indeed.
It’s such a 1950’s romantic comedy notion that meeting the dream man is the storybook ending. That’s just the beginning of a very, complex journey to who knows where.
This is the sort of stuff that feeds the faulty narrative that marriage is the ultimate prize — for women. The public has no idea what their relationship is really like, if it’s healthy, etc. The culture just loves a good wedding. And the media love to report the grand weddings and then rake them over the coals when they divorce (we need look no further than Princess Di).
I don’t look at this as two steps back. It’s more like writers/editors who don’t ask the right questions and insert their own commentary into events that they know next to nothing about. The headline & story is simply “Pippa’s Engaged,” or “Pippa plans to marry X.” Her rich, successful fiance may also be a philandering a-hole for all anyone knows!
This is in the New York Times – the national paper of record. So disappointing.
Good points. And you know what else? No one knows what ANY other person’s relationship is like except for the two people in it, royals or not. By the end of our relationship, my boyfriend and I looked happy, but we weren’t really happy on the inside by the end. I truly hope that their union is a lasting and joyful. But elaborate weddings these days only exist to make *other* people rich.
The recent wedding I attended with maybe 30 other people was such a beautiful event. Simple, elegant and meaningful. It put the big, showcase weddings to shame.