Gender Conflict and Money

"Life", Time, February 11, 2008. Page 59-60.

This article caught my attention because it is about making money out of some of the personal circumstances we sometimes face due to gender conflict. Specifically this article is about an industry which is being developed that specializes in selling items reflecting our feelings when we face divorce or a break-up in a relationship. Companies are now selling such novelty items as a "wedding-ring coffin", "voodoo dolls" of one's past partners and a "wheel of wisdom". I thought the article was pretty funny. Capitalism knows no limits, you can make a buck even out of personal pain. The article shows "divorce cakes" and talks of parties which include even going so far as to rent a hearse to celebrate the death of a marriage or other relationship. I guess that somehow it is not enough that gender conflict may drive you to use psychological and/or psychiatric services, support groups and / or to a need for medication. You may also have to mark the event with a "celebration" to achieve some catharsis or to buy a gadget that will be visual material reminder that the relationship is over and that it is time to move on.