Although New York Times' wedding announcements don't usually generate heated debate, a couple featured in Sunday's "Vows" section have quickly become controversial. Carol Anne Riddell and John Partilla first crossed paths four years ago in their children's pre-kindergarten classroom. Only catch: Each was already married. "The connection was immediate, but platonic," notes the Times. Eventually, though, the pair decided to leave their spouses and the Times' decision to publicize their union, in a forum typically dedicated to snootily inspiring tales of love, is generating outrage. ("Staggeringly monstrous," cried one critic.) Is the Gray Lady condoning "homewrecking"?
The Times has been heading in this direction: What's so shocking, asks Adrian Chin at Gawker. "The Times has been probing the darker side of the 'how did you meet' story for a while." Besides, a "traditional" wedding announcement "mercilessly" flaunts a couple's perfection; this one juicily highlights flaws. "Which one would you rather read?"
"Homewrecking couple's scandalous New York Times wedding announcement"
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This is the state of journalism: The Times once used euphemisms when the couple was a product of an affair or a "spouse-dumping," says Mike Vilensky in New York. "But now, with print media... competing with saucier online writing, the spouse-dumping goes right in the lede," and the dumpers speak with "unmitigated pride." Still, despite the Times' romanticizing efforts, the story comes across as "awkward and sort of sad."
"Times no longer even euphemizing spouse-dumping"
But it's bad journalism: The story doesn't follow "basic journalistic practice," says Jeff Bercovici in Forbes. The ex-spouses aren't mentioned by name, and it doesn't seem the reporter called them for comment, which I find problematic. While "undoubtedly" an interesting story, it would be even more interesting had the ex-spouses been interviewed.
"The story behind that controversial NYT 'Vows' column"
The "Vows" section should change its name: This isn't a celebratory story of people taking marriage vows seriously, says Kathryn Jean Lopez in the National Review. It's a "heartbreaking" tale of a couple who abandoned their previous commitments. The real message is: "Make sure you have the kind of lovingly rigorous support system — faith, friends, family" to help you stick to the smart path.
"The beyond-'Vows' section of the New York Times"
We shouldn't be so quick to judge: Who's to say that sticking with an unhappy, unfulfilling, or even unhealthy marriage "is for the ultimate best?" asks Mary Elizabeth Williams in Salon. While it's a bit mind boggling that this couple would want to share their story publicly, and that the Times would want to report on it, maybe in our media-savvy age of over-sharing, it was "easier to give a public version of events than to repeat it forever to every curious friend."
"Is the N.Y. Times celebrating home-wrecking?"
