Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
In the US, about 40% of marriages end in the divorce. That’s a lot. But it seems like divorce is even more common among celebrities. Nearly every time you pick up a tabloid, there’s a headline about a couple splitting up on its cover. Whether it’s because of their busy careers, the pressures of fame, or the temptation of being constantly surrounded by other attractive people, it sometimes seems like famous people just can’t manage to stay married. Hear Marni and Mason talk about celebrity divorce.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Marni: Mason, I was looking at this tabloid, and Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are on the cover, and they’re soon to be divorced.
Mason: I didn’t peg them for a divorced couple. Like, there were definitely plenty that I’m like, yeah, that’s not gonna last. But I thought they had something going.
Marni: It seems like there’s been a rash of celebrity divorces recently, and specifically J Lo, I think, has had her fair share of relationships, but I won’t go there. You know, does it seem like celebrities in general just can’t make a marriage last? Is it harder on them because they’re celebrities?
Mason: I always assume so, just because I think marriage is hard work for pretty much everybody. I don’t know, you may think I’m not romantic saying that, but I generally believe that acknowledging that it’s not all fluffy rainbows and unicorns, you’ll probably have a better success rate. But celebrities don’t necessarily have to commit to one person, and do things that are hard.
Marni: OK. Sure, you know, and some people have to stay in marriages because they sort of feel like they have no choice, if you’re not rich and famous. But it could be just because they’re celebrities, the nature of that is that we’re hearing about them. You know, perhaps it’s just indicative of divorce rates in general in the United States.
Mason: It’s just like there’s a philosophical shift that’s happened in our lifetimes and our parents’ lifetimes around, like, personal happiness and self-fulfillment rather than, like, self-sacrifice and commitment and sticking together. Yeah, people care about different stuff.
Marni: Yeah, absolutely. And celebrities, you know…who more than celebrities are into pleasing themselves and their own personal happiness.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Marni and Mason are surprised to learn of yet another celebrity divorce. Marni says it seems like celebrities just can’t manage to stay married. But she wonders if marriage in general is becoming too difficult for people. Maybe it just seems like celebrities get divorced more than average people because their divorces are always on the covers of tabloids.
Mason says that divorce has become more common in general. People are less willing to do the hard work it takes to maintain a committed relationship. They’re more interested in their personal happiness than sacrificing themselves for others. Marni agrees, but she thinks celebrities might be even more self-centered than the average person.
Why do you think divorce has become more common recently? Do you think it’s harder for celebrities to stay married than average people? Why?
Comments
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tutorheather, hello and thank you for the feedback. It was very interesting for me to read about your childhood :( I really hope you will never be by yourself here on English, baby! We all will be around you. :) “Does anyone on here love to write – like poetry or fiction?” – I love to write poems and prose. I have got my own poems and prose in Russian. They are on my blog on other website, but not on English, baby! ;) My English is very poor , hense I can’t write any poem and prose in English ( how I wish I could write in English like I do in Russian ;() I adore to read poems, wise quotes, thoughts of people through the blogs they have got. Join us, come regularly to talk. All the best |
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Hi again Heather, We are privileged that you,an ex.Harvard graduate and english teacher is contributing in an unselfless way to help us to achieve our goals to be able to communicate in english. As you have previously stated, Ebaby is a global commmunity with the sole drive to learn and meet new friends around the world ,and now you are one of them |
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tutorheather, greetings. I appreciate your opinion. You needn’t be sorry. Eveyrthing is OK. Do you know why I’m here on this website? Actually English language will never be used anywhere in my life. I don’t need it at my work etc. I just love this language since my childhood ( I can’t even explain why do I love English. I just love it!) and I would like to travel one day. So this site helps me to combine my hobby and my dream. I love the possibility eBaby gives me. The possibility to meet people all over the world, the possibility of mental travelling and the possibility to read different viewpoints on the forums. Best wishes. |
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Hi Julito! Thanks so much for responding! I was thinking that could be the case, so I looked into that possibility, but couldn’t find the first post. Either way, I wanted to prompt us to think about the concept of stereotyping. We have such a unique chance here to discuss such issues! If Lesya’s not the original poster, sorry Lesya! I tried to research first to see if you quoted from someone else, but as I said, I couldn’t locate the original poster. So, no matter who made that statement, it’s the discussion that is important. As always, I love to hear everyone’s opinions here. |
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Hi all! I read Kotlesya’s post in great dismay. She states: “Women are venal and greedy for money, indeed. ..the majority of women chose money at first and then they take a lazy look at man- owner of money. He is only an addition to money.” I am so disappointed that a woman would make such a negative generalization about her global sisters. Just like not all men are ruled by money, all women are not, by nature, “venal (corrupt) and greedy.” As people on this website who strive to become educated and act as considerate members of a global community, we should encourage one another to not generalize, stereotype or disparage others on the basis of gender, ethnicity, country of birth, religion, etc. Much of the world’s violence and hatred originates from broad (and often negative) assumptions/stereoptypes about people and culltures. As an American (born in the 1970’s – I am 40), I was raised in a culture and time that was very wary of people from the Middle East, and in a political environment that feared Russians. Some of that has changed in a positive way; some of that hasn’t. I do know that when people strive to become educated and meet people from other cultures, those stereotypes often disappear. As a child, I lived in a very small, rural town. Not even ONE non-white person lived in my town or went to my school. Members of my family, at that time, believed certain racial stereotypes; I never did, even at a very young age. I yearned to live in a more diverse environment and learn from people who had other cultural backgrounds. I was hungry for that knowledge, so I became a global educator. My current students come from parts of Russia, the Middle East, China, African countries, Japan, Korea, Egypt, Brazil…on and on. Each and every one of them are smart, friendly people who I truly value knowing. By talking, laughing and learning with one another, we see beyond any stereotypes we may have held. We are humans, first and foremost. The most unique aspect of this wonderful community at EnglishBaby is that we all represent so many different cultures who share two common goals: to learn a language, and to make friends. It’s such a great opportunity. If we listen to the news, many of us aren’t supposed to be able to understand one another, much less be friendly to each other! But we do it here every day. Cool, right? Yes, money can certainly change people. Money can make people corrupt. But, this happens to men and women, equally. Thinking of the thousands of women I have met in my life, my friends, colleagues, students, etc., I can’t think of one whom I would label as “venal and greedy” and in a purely selfish quest for a man with money. On the contrary, the girls and women I know are looking to become more independent. Men and women build futures together, which leads me to the rest of kotlesya’s post. I did like this part of kotlesya’s post; she said, “Money is not the reason to be together and the lack of money is not the reason to split apart.“ Great wisdom and perfectly written, too. :) Unfortunately, the stress that comes with problematic finances often tears families apart, when people should instead come together and try to make things better. I am seeing families here in America splitting up on a daily basis, and most of the unrest comes from financial stress, including loss of homes, health insurance, etc. Like many Americans, I have experienced loss, too. Nonetheless, people do need to realize how lucky they are to have a roof over their head and food to eat; so many of the world is without such essentials. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this, and thanks so much for your welcoming spirit. I truly appreciate all of the friend requests. Very Sincerely, Heather |
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