The world is very different from what it was in 2000, or 2005 for that matter. In the last ten years or so, social media and smartphones have changed the way we do everything. They’re even changing the way we handle divorce.
Let me introduce the new social media craze: divorce selfies. When a married couple seeks divorce and the divorce is finalized, the former couple take one last selfie. These selfies are often happy, funny, even celebratory. For example, take Chris and Shannon Neuman from Calgary, Alberta, Canada ?(look at the picture above). After their divorce went final, they took a smiling selfie. With the picture, Shannon posted, “Here’s Chris Newman and I yesterday after filing for divorce! But we’re smiling?! Yep, we’re cooky like that.” This picture went on Facebook. Their post has been shared over 36,000 times…in one day! They said they went this route because they wanted an honorable end to their marriage and move forward as parenting partners to their kids. There’s more where that came from. There’s one picture of a couple with their divorce certificate, with thumbs up and quoting, “They couldn’t wait to sign.” Another smiling divorced couple posted their selfie with the quote, “Because you can get divorced while smiling.” There’s another young former couple giving peace signs saying, “Awww look, even kids have been doing it.” I can go on and on.
There may be some moralist out there who say, “How can anybody celebrate a divorce or treat a divorce in this fashion?” But I don’t see it that way. I applaud how these couples are handling a difficult situation. Shannon Neuman said it best. Keep it civil and respectable for the sake of the children. I’ve read too many stories of divorces ending in unspeakable tragedy. I’ve seen people who get totally depressed and even suicidal after divorce. I’m glad these couples can hold their head high, and even make fun of themselves through it. So you still say divorce selfies are wrong? What’s the alternative?