Character tropes have been a staple of television shows for as long as they have been around. Nowadays, a new character trope has emerged, one that is just as common as “the girl next door” – the divorce character. Every show seems to have a character, ranging from side characters to the show’s lead, that is either a child of divorce or has been divorced themselves. This trope is not limited to genre. Dramas, comedies, soap operas, and more, despite their myriad differences all feature divorce, whether that be as the main subject of the show or simply a side plot.

The characters of TV shows, while fictional, are reflections of the society we live in. The unfortunate truth is, divorce is so common, almost every person either has been affected by divorce personally or knows someone who has. As divorce rates have risen over the past decades, so has the prevalence of divorce characters on TV. Divorce characters often share many of the same character traits that are common in children of divorce in real life. Fear of commitment, emotional immaturity, and financial instability are issues that plague children of divorce, both fictional and real.

The subject of divorce in TV has always been around but did not really become common until the 1960s to 1980s, where divorce rates saw a spike in real life as well. Before divorce became so common, Hollywood often treated divorce in an unrealistic way, using it as an often humorous and unserious subject. Scenes from a Marriage, created by Ingmar Bergman in 1973, was one of the first times divorce was really tackled seriously on TV, portraying divorce in a realistic way. While some shows focus on just the ugly, destructive parts of divorce, others depict it in a more complex, nuanced way. The cotemporary sitcom, Modern Family portrays a diverse family that has gone through many difficult life changes, such as divorce, remarriage, and adoption, and remains a functional, loving family. The way we see divorce portrayed in tv can affect how we view it in reality. Most TV shows depict divorce as a war, leading many to believe that is the only way. ANR Law has a different, better way. Collaborative divorce is an option that leads to a process much less catastrophic than what TV makes it out to be. It is a process that values communication, protection of children, cooperation, and civility. Divorce is a difficult change, but often, it is a change that can lead to a brighter future.

Divorce often plays out like a real-life drama, so it can be tempting for writers to use it for the plot of their TV shows. However, divorce characters are more than just an easy plot point. In difficult times, we often turn towards our favorite TV shows for comfort. Seeing characters in the TV shows you watch experience the trials of divorce while you yourself are experiencing it can be a therapeutic experience and can help you cope with some of the emotions and stress you may be feeling. It can be reassuring to know that what you are going through is experienced by so many others, you are not alone. While divorce in tv shows is often overdramatized, and the legal process is regularly portrayed incorrectly, it can teach us lessons, and offer new perspectives on a subject that is often sensitive. The prevalence of divorce characters in TV shows the shift from treating divorce as a taboo to a normalized, however unfortunate part of reality.

If you are interested in learning more about your rights, and how to proceed with out-of-court processes like Collaborative Law. AN|R Law is here and we are proud to serve North Carolina. We have four locations in Raleigh, Greenville, Beaufort, and Wilmington. Along with my legal team, we are committed to helping North Carolina families in a healthy manner that protects their finances as well as the wellbeing of themselves and their children. If you would like to connect, you can follow the AN|R social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can also check out my book, The Cure for Divorce Culture, and listen to my podcast, Divorce, Healthy! which is available on all major listening platforms.

You can learn more about working with AN|R Law: A Negotiated Resolution for collaborative divorce and other family law matters in North Carolina by reaching out to our office. You can call 252-702-4376 or fill out this online contact form.

If you are interested in inviting me, Ashley-Nicole Russell, to speak at your next event or conference, I would be honored. I am currently booking in-person and virtual speaking engagements for 2024 and 2025. Please reach out to my team by emailing media@anrlaw.com.

Sources

Ashley-Nicole Russell, Esq., The Cure for Divorce Culture: Repairing the Damage Within a Lost Class of People (2d ed. 2019).

https://hellodivorce.com/self-care/tv-shows-about-divorce-hello-divorcehttps://www.creativescreenwriting.com/the-subject-of-divorce-and-how-it-plays-on-screen/