Monoga-me?

There are 8 million people in this city, but there aren't 4 million couples.

Gay or straight, young or old, it seems like every time you turn around, someone is getting divorced, getting separated or sleeping with a strangely-related other (the son of that publisher who used to be married to the woman next door who used to go out with a woman who works in my building...etc.). I know happily-married or happily-partnered people exist in New York, but they seem few and far between.

In suburban living, a 'normal' couple has a (hopefully) long marriage, 2 kids, a dog, a minivan to carry the kids & dog and a house to store it all. In the city, a 'normal' couple has a short marriage, 1 kid (who's pre-school education costs more than a luxury SUV), a tiny dog that someone else walks, a Metro Card & an apartment with a park view instead of a backyard. Is it possible that in a place where you don't have the space for a white picket fence, you also don't have the same aspirations for, or definition of, a blissful home life?

And do some women living in NYC (with high-powered careers and $500 shoes you would never dream of getting near a sticky child) really have more to live for than the average housewife or do we trick ourselves into believing we don't want the 'stats quo' because it is so very difficult to maintain?
Whatever the reason, New York seems to bread infidelity and discontent. "Home" life here makes me think twice about tying one on in the kitchen instead of at the bar with the other working girls.

At least I know my job isn't going to ask for a prenump; At-will termination is a much less messy affair.


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