The Price of Breaking the Silence

I recently read an article about the family feud behind Julie Myerson's new book, "The Lost Child" in The Times. In the book industry, particularly in new memoirs and biographies, the revelation of truth is a hot issue. Defamation? Public humiliation? Relationships may be severed, families split in half.

What troubles me is that in the literary world, the ideals of "family" may seem to justify keeping the silence on such a major domestic trauma that is growing. This is the silence that permits the same mistakes to overcome thousands of families. When revealing the raw truth could potentially raise awareness, and help prevent drug abuse and/or domestic violence ... any hesitation appears cruel.

Whether it's the parents or the children telling the story, the silence has to be broken, especially when it could have such a positive/growing affect on the rest of the world. The price of keeping secrets and watching the same tragedy occur again and again is much higher than we could ever imagine.

Read The Times article online

Green = the real color of romance?

If you're single, it seems as if you may have to put romance on hold even longer. The money struggles of the country clearly don't stop at clutching for a job, or having enough for the mortgage.

According to today's Washington Post feature, single men are taking a time out from the dating market for now. Who knew that even in today's feminist era that money + good looks are so crucial? Thousands of households are feeling the pressure from the current economic crisis, but in many areas, it appears that men take the biggest hit of all.

As far as we've come in redefining the once traditional roles of men and women (especially outside of "husband" and "wife), men still bear the shame of not being successful "providers". In fact, it occurs to me now how the value of the dollar has also found its way in placing monetary value to romance itself -- as well as the individual. What does this say about the man, who feels he has nothing to offer a woman because of the crashing job market? Or the woman who might feel shame in sharing the role of "financial provider?"

Single female seeks single male with big heart (and wallet). I see the personal ads writing themselves, just like the job listings ... coming soon with the attachment of dollar value.