Wednesday, April 7, 2010

For Better or For Worse

Webster's Dictionary defines marriage as: "the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex or a person of the same sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law."

I think this is a pretty fair definition of marriage, however, it is the consensual part that seems to be a problem in today's society. I am beginning to believe that people just shouldn't get married. Maybe Oprah was on to something when she decided that Steadman would just be her "beau" all those years ago.

Over the past few months, the headlines of couples and their torn apart families have sent the Mainstream Media into a frenzy. Is marriage not sacred anymore for anyone?

First up is Shaunie and Shaquille O'Neal. Now, it is no secret that Shaq is NOT one of my favorite people. His arrogance, lack of focus, shenanigans off the court (chasing criminals down the streets of Miami) and his classless breakup with Kobe Bryant has soured me to him as a person to say the least. Through the years, I have heard legendary stories of his affairs, second and possibly third families, etc. I didn't care because that's typical of a player like him. But recently, a story surrounding his extra-curricular activities piqued my interest. He is in the middle of a messy divorce with his soon-to-be-ex-wife Shaunie.


"Pic via NecoleBitchie.com"

So, Shaunie knew that Shaq was cheating on her and decide to hire a private detective, who kept tabs on Shaq for several months. This PI apparently got so much info on Shaq, it gave Shaunie the courage to approach the jumpoff, Vanessa Lopez, and convince her to go public with her affair with Shaq. Having signed a prenup, with proof of infidelity, now Shaunie gets more money. WOW! Wives and jumpoffs unite?

Next up... Sandra Bullock!

So, Sandra Bullock won a Golden Globe, a SAG Award and then the coveted Academy Award. At every show, she looked at her husband lovingly and spoke so well of him. She thanked him for putting up with her Hollywood life, and being true to her. Then, in a nightmare of a twist, we find out that he has pulled a "Tiger Woods." His affair is made public by a tattoo model that goes by the name of "Bombshell McGee"!




This chic is tattooed on her face and her underarms, despite all of the body art, she is a pretty girl, she's just a scallywag for sleeping with a married man. Again, we have a woman totally unaware of her husband's infidelity and then BAM! Not only did this McGee woman come forth, but about three or four others. So needless to say, that marriage is over!

Finally, we have Tiki Barber. Now this came as a surprise to me, because he has always portrayed himself as being somewhat wholesome. Very openly denouncing how his father left the home, and ran off to leave his mother to raise he and his brother alone. So a few years into retirement, the very married Barber has slipped. He and his wife Ginny have been married for 11 years! They have two kids at 7 and 5 years of age. Ginny is currently pregnant with twins.




In his retirement, Tiki works as a commentator on NBC Sports as well as a Today show correspondent. Many people felt he retired prematurely, considering the very next year the Giants won the Superbowl, but no one expected this. Not only did he have an affair, but he and Ginny have separated, and he is now seriously involved with an intern named Tracy Johnson over at NBC! For real Tiki? Like seriously?

All of this leads me to believe that marriage is just not for everybody. More importantly, if you aren't willing to put in the work for the long haul, DON'T DO IT! He has kids to think about. This story broke yesterday, on the morning of his 35th birthday.

It kind of makes you wonder if it is even worth it. Families are being torn apart everywhere, and it is kind of sad and demoralizing when you look at how much this affects the kids that are involved. Shaq and Shaunie have 5 kids together. This isn't something that should be taken lightly. While I don't believe that people should stay together and be unhappy, I feel that more responsibility should be taken before people take a walk down the aisle and make that covenant before God. Either way, my heart goes out to these families!

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