I was at a friend's wedding over the weekend, and of course I couldn't help thinking a bit critically about the wedding industry.
I'm not against marriage or anything, but I really dislike how society treats it like it's the Most! Important! Thing! In a woman's life. Remember, girls: If your wedding isn't huge and expensive and completely perfect, then it's wrong.
Celebrity weddings are the worst offenders, spending millions of dollars on weddings that, half the time, don't even last. The Kardashian girl spent how much on hers? I don't know, it was many millions, only for it to last a couple of months. I cannot tell you how many friends of mine watch that show, and seem to admire her, though for what reason, I don't know. To me, she embodies everything that women should be working against.
Anyway, it is endlessly frustrating that the media place such importance on the "fairy tale" of marriage. Of course, this so-called fairy tale usually involves pretty, wealthy white people. It is no secret that TV wedding specials are big draws for female audiences, which is why networks continually try to one-up themselves. The Kardashian wedding special was four hours long, spread over two nights. Ratings were huge.
Why? Why do we think that a wedding is the highlight of a woman's life? That there is no happier day she can or should look forward to?
And even more frustrating is the fact that someone like Kim Kardashian can stage a wedding with the clear intention of making money off of it, but homosexuals are not allowed to marry. Because to let them marry defies the "sanctity" of marriage.
I'm sure I sound pretty angry and/or cynical about all this. Again, I'm not against marriage or anything, I just don't understand why we think it's so important. Why women should hold it up as the best thing they can accomplish with their lives. And clearly many women believe it, or you wouldn't see entire shelves and sections of bookstores dedicated to bridal magazines and books.
So those were some of the thoughts I had over the weekend while at this wedding. It was a nice event, I guess. I don't really get "into" weddings like some women do. It is what it is. Personally, if I ever get married some day, I will be perfectly happy with just signing a marriage license down at the courthouse. I don't understand the pressure to have a huge, extravagant event. My parents had a very modest, tiny wedding in the town where my mom grew up, and they're still together thirty years later.
I understand what you are saying! I have been a bridesmaid several times and I have been disappointed to watch my friends get distracted by all the preparations and turn into different people. They forget that it is supposed to be a celebration of love and friendship.
ReplyDeleteA part of me is surprised that marriages don't last longer after all the time, money, and effort people put into the event. My logic, like with a good car, is that if I'm putting that kind of money into it, I better get what I pay for. I am not sure what the answer is, but I agree with you that something is wrong with this picture.
ReplyDeleteI like how you took so many of the topics from from our readings and explored them further in this blog. I especially like your Disney post. I debate whether or not I will show my hypothetical girls that. I don't wanna go overbid overprotective. Maybe just discussing the points after with my daughter would be enough.
Another great related topic Sarah. I like these topics you are thinking about.
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