Al and Tipper Gore announced they were getting divorced on Tuesday, ending a 40-year marriage.
The question many are pondering today — and likely talking about around the watercolor — is why?
The Gore's went out of their way to kill any newly-started rumors about affairs, explaining that the decision was "a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration."
How after 40 years does a couple decide it's time? CNN.com today tries to answer that question in an analysis on what could end such a long marriage?
Is this a local story in your community? Sure it is. Marriage and divorce is one of those social topics that impacts every community and understanding what makes marriages tick and fail, is of interest to mostly everyone.
Consider these angles:
• What's a local marriage counselors take on the ending of a 40-year-marriage? And specifically with the Gores, what could possibly have triggered it? Was it Al Gore's travel and the fact that the two were living separate lives?
• As relationships develop and the kids are fully on their own, how do marriages survive and what are the signs to watch out for? Marriage counselors and other behavioral experts could take this topic on. Is there anything to the "hot" and "cold" divorce philosophy mentioned in the CNN article?
• Do experts see more long-term marriages trending in divorce? Look at this data from divorcerate.org and nationmaster.com for some clues.
• Is there a local AARP chapter in your community or senior organization that could talk about trends in divorce or classes that they offer to help couples keep the magic alive?
• Can marriage last forever? This Moms blog started a conversation on the topic. This could be a good poll question. You also could ask readers to submit their tips and advice on keeping a marriage together or simply ask the question that this blogger did: Is marriage forever?
(Every day David Arkin offers his Wake Up Call!, with ideas and resources on localizing content for your local newspaper).
Al and Tipper Gore announced they were getting divorced on Tuesday, ending a 40-year marriage.
The question many are pondering today — and likely talking about around the watercolor — is why?
The Gore's went out of their way to kill any newly-started rumors about affairs, explaining that the decision was "a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration."
How after 40 years does a couple decide it's time? CNN.com today tries to answer that question in an analysis on what could end such a long marriage?
Is this a local story in your community? Sure it is. Marriage and divorce is one of those social topics that impacts every community and understanding what makes marriages tick and fail, is of interest to mostly everyone.
Consider these angles:
• What's a local marriage counselors take on the ending of a 40-year-marriage? And specifically with the Gores, what could possibly have triggered it? Was it Al Gore's travel and the fact that the two were living separate lives?
• As relationships develop and the kids are fully on their own, how do marriages survive and what are the signs to watch out for? Marriage counselors and other behavioral experts could take this topic on. Is there anything to the "hot" and "cold" divorce philosophy mentioned in the CNN article?
• Do experts see more long-term marriages trending in divorce? Look at this data from divorcerate.org and nationmaster.com for some clues.
• Is there a local AARP chapter in your community or senior organization that could talk about trends in divorce or classes that they offer to help couples keep the magic alive?
• Can marriage last forever? This Moms blog started a conversation on the topic. This could be a good poll question. You also could ask readers to submit their tips and advice on keeping a marriage together or simply ask the question that this blogger did: Is marriage forever?
(Every day David Arkin offers his Wake Up Call!, with ideas and resources on localizing content for your local newspaper).
