Posted on 06/04/2008 9:47:45 AM PDT by Stoat
Organisers insist there is a real need for the show, after official figures showed almost half of newly married couples will end up getting divorced.
But critics claim the divorce fair, which may even feature pole-dancing and live music, is just a gimmick which risks trivialising an important subject.
The one-day event, called the Starting Over Show, will be held at Brighton Racecourse in East Sussex in October, and 20 groups have already shown an interest in setting up stalls.
Suzy Miller, the producer of the fair, said she hoped it would help couples struggling with the credit crisis, who may to be too frightened to split because of financial fears.
It is aimed at married couples who are separating and homosexuals whose civil partnerships have broken down.
Miss Miller, 44, said: "The emphasis to provide a great collaboration of lawyers, especially when children are involved, to provide good financial advice to take the fear out of the process and, importantly, to have motivational help to make it feel less doom-laden.
"From the people I have spoken to, they have said, 'God I wish something like this was around when I broke up'.
"There is a sense that there are a lot of people who have got to the other side but without the right support and advice, people can end up bitter and unhappy.
"Going through a break-up can be an extremely lonely time so we are placing a lot of emphasis on mind, body and soul to help people get through it.
"Ours is going to be a fair that doesn't make light of people's situations but will help people realise they can get to the other side happy and feel there is a good future out there."
The world's first divorce fair, held in Austria last year, attracted around 500 people and 20 exhibitors including private detective firms and DNA laboratories offering paternity tests.
Organisers insist these will not be on offer at the British event, but Miss Miller is hoping a troupe of pole dancers will be on show as she believes it can help women keep fit and boost their self-esteem.
Anastasia de Waal, head of family and education at the think-tank Civitas, said: "It sounds like a celebration of divorce and a bit gimmicky. We really need more mediation for couples, especially where children are involved."
Melissa Lesson, partner at Mishcon de Reya - the law firm which acted for Diana, Princess of Wales and at one stage represented Heather Mills in her divorce from Sir Paul McCartney - added: "It is always good for people to be well-informed before making any life-altering decisions, but a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
"Unless people are going to spend one or two hours with that lawyer giving a full history of their case in order to get specific and tailored advice, I would still have considerable reservations about it being anything other than a broad brush approach."
A spokesman for relationship counselling organisation Relate warned: "Any divorce 'event' must include advice on counselling and emotional support because divorce can be traumatic for the two people involved, and for their children."
The divorce rate for 2006 fell to 12.2 divorces per thousand married men and women, a drop of seven per cent compared with the 2005 figure of 13.1, the ONS said.
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and yet homosexuals are trying to make and change laws to get married.
even the original homosexuals in Massachusetts, well half of them are now split up.
I agree spliting up is easy, I have been married now for nearly 13 years,EEK we have had our problems but always stuck it out.
A mate of mine got married the same age as me, 26, he lasted for 24 hours because his so called wife wanted a divorce
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
nothing like greasing the skids for the dissolution of the family.
Miss Miller also hopes a company of pole dancers will attend the event as her research found the hobby helped to boost women's self-esteem.
Here’s where a little sharia could come in handy.
Just let them say “I divorce thee” three times before the proper witnesses.
Just make sure the one who’s initiating the proceedings leaves the marriage with nothing.
bump
Wouldn't it be nice if, as a "protest", a "stay happily married fair" was to be held at the same time which included people and organizations skilled in helping couples through rough times, rather than an event strictly dedicated to facilitating divorce.
even the original homosexuals in Massachusetts, well half of them are now split up.
Hopefully at least a few of them might, as a result of such an unhappy experience, realize that marriage is far more than political grandstanding and "a piece of paper"; ....and is best left to real, healthy men and women.
I agree spliting up is easy, I have been married now for nearly 13 years,EEK we have had our problems but always stuck it out.
Congratulations to you! Full steam ahead. :-)
A mate of mine got married the same age as me, 26, he lasted for 24 hours because his so called wife wanted a divorce
Very sorry to hear that, but hopefully he came away from that a wiser man.
It seems that for some, it's the easiest thing in the world.
Still together after 80 years, Britain's oldest married couple celebrate...with a simple kiss
Absolutely.
How perverse that society fights to have marriage for gays and fights to break up heterosexual marriages.
wiser man
LOL
he got married again and divorced again, he know is lookingat getting married again
LOL
he got married again and divorced again, he know is lookingat getting married again
How very sad.
Do you feel that he has an appropriate level of reverence for the institution of marriage?
What do you think is the main cause of his inability to make a marriage work?
“It seems that for some, it’s the easiest thing in the world.”
In 2 1/2 weeks we make 50 years but I seriously doubt i’ll live long enough to make 80.
WOO HOOO!! Congratulations to you and yours!
Please consider starting a celebratory thread for yourselves here at Free Republic....I think that you might be overwhelmed by all of the goodwill and you may also be able to help others in learning the 'secret' of making a marriage work.
I would imagine that you have a tremendous amount of wisdom that could benefit many people :-)
wiser man
LOL
he got married again and divorced again, he know is lookingat getting married again
congrats
it’s always good to hear couples who have been married for a long time
I think the American term is hard ass.
Never believes he is wrong and thinks the woman he is with should run around after him all the time while he just sits there and goes to the pub
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