by Rose Calder

Created on: July 25, 2008

Unless you've lived the entirety of your life in some cloistered fundamentalist sect out in East Jesus Nowhere, chances are you've heard of the term 'divorce'. According to data that no one has as of yet named the source of (which leads me to believe that it's probably the Census Bureau), roughly 50% of marriages are doomed to this singular fate. Which means that every person has fifty-fifty shot at not only being born into one, but also has just as much of a chance of creating their very own 'broken home'.

Popular opinion has it that being divorced is horrible, on par with being audited by the IRS while getting a root canal done. This is particularly the case for children whose parents are divorced. They have it drummed into their heads from the moment that Mommy and Daddy tell them that they are getting separate places that this is the worst thing to happen to them.

But really, is divorce so bad? I'm inclined to think otherwise. Of course, I admit upfront that I'm heavily biased on the subject, as that my own parents are divorced. And not only from each other, but from a slew of other people as well. Zsa Zsa Gabor and Elizabeth Taylor have nothing on my parents.

Here's why I think divorce isn't nearly as black as people paint it:

First of all, divorce stimulates the economy. When you split from your partner, you've got two options-you can either fight in court over the division of all the junk you bought as a couple, or you can go out and buy completely new stuff to furnish your new life as a single person. Either way, you're going to be dropping beaucoup bucks on reestablishing yourself. And as the government keeps telling us, spending money makes the economy stronger. So what better way to do your part for the country's well-being than to spend a little money?

Besides, if you want to create a party atmosphere, you could always set yourself up for a divorce registry at places like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Macy's or wherever else tickles your fancy. Such businesses already have the set-ups for creating a registry, so why not exploit that for your own benefit. That way, you can bring other people in on the fun! In cases where your family or friends really despised your soon-to-be ex, I'm sure they'd love nothing more than to make sure your new life without that unsightly attachment is a comfortable one.

And what about when you reenter the dating scene? It may take a while, depending on your post-nuptial tolerance for the opposite sex, but eventually you will find yourself

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