Americans have mixed feelings on marriage, with survey results suggesting that more Americans are pessimistic than optimistic about the institution of marriage (Parker and Minkin 2023). This may not be surprising, considering that marriage rates have been declining since the 1970s (Karsit 2023), and over the past 25 years, the divorce rate for adults aged 50 and older has nearly doubled (Stepler 2017). The increased pessimism among Americans about the institution of marriage, among other aspects of family life, aligns with the evolving nature of contemporary relationships. As perspectives on commitment shift, the traditional expectation of lifelong unions is giving way to a more fluid understanding of matrimony.

Nowhere is this shifting paradigm more visible than in the world of celebrity marriages, divorces, and remarriages. Celebrities often serve as cultural trendsetters, reflecting and sometimes even shaping societal attitudes toward love and commitment. The phenomenon of the “marriage-go-round” (see Cherlin 2010), where celebrities frequently enter and exit marriages, offers a fascinating lens through which to examine these changing dynamics.

Celebrities frequently navigate the challenges and joys of multiple marriages and blended families resulting from multiple marriages. This is evident in Hollywood, where step-parenting and co-parenting arrangements are common. Celebrity couples like Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker as well as Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union showcase the complexities of blended families in the public eye. The evolving attitudes toward marriage and commitment are also mirrored in celebrities’ experiences. Some openly discuss nontraditional relationship structures, challenge societal expectations, or prioritize personal growth over conventional notions of lifelong marriage. In popular culture, the marriage-go-round serves as a microcosm reflecting and influencing evolving perspectives on love, commitment, and family structures in the twenty-first century.

In the realm of celebrity relationships, the greater acceptance of the marriage-go-round not only illuminates the intricacies of nontraditional structures but also underscores the privilege of navigating such complexities with relative ease. Celebrities’ ability to challenge conventional norms without enduring severe societal repercussions gives them a platform to push boundaries and foster conversations around alternative paths to commitment. For example, many celebrities’ financial means enable them to access alternative family-building methods, such as surrogacy, adoption, or assisted reproductive technologies. This financial privilege can significantly reduce the barriers that others might face in pursuing similar paths, reinforcing the idea that fluid family structures are not only attainable but also socially acceptable.

Marriage, once the standard method of forming a family across all income and education levels, is increasingly becoming an institution for the privileged (Miller 2017). In the United States, the increase in economic disparities has led to notable changes in marriage patterns. For example, Wilcox and Wang (2017) found that fewer individuals from lower-income backgrounds are getting married, while the marriage rate among middle- and upper-class adults has remained stable. Higher-income individuals often possess the financial security and educational attainment that contribute to stronger, longer-lasting relationships. They are more likely to access supportive networks, afford legal processes, and weather potential challenges that can destabilize marriages among the less privileged. This divergence reveals a growing socioeconomic divide that influences how and when people choose to form families .

Weddings—a significant milestone in a person’s life—often come with sizeable costs. In the United States, the average wedding in 2024 cost $33,000, which is $4,000 more than in 2023, reflecting a steady increase in expenses (Treece and Medine 2024). Additionally, Forbes reported that the median cost of a divorce is approximately $7,000, but more complex divorces, involving disputes over matters like property division or child custody, can frequently exceed $100,000 (Crail 2022).

Celebrities experience divorce with a different economic lens. While they too experience legal fees and asset divisions, the financial consequences may be less burdensome compared to the average individual. Celebrities may have the means to rebound swiftly from financial setbacks, leveraging their established careers, endorsement deals, and business ventures. This financial resilience stands in stark contrast to the challenges many Americans face as they grapple with prolonged financial strain after a divorce (Kalb and Broadway 2022). Thus, the economic impact of marital transitions underscores the nuanced interplay between privilege and financial security within the realms of marriage and divorce.

In addition, research suggests that the marriage-go-round is intertwined with gender dynamics (Cherlin 2010). Evolving gender roles and expectations may impact how individuals navigate relationships, contributing to a redefinition of gender norms within marriages. Women are no longer confined to a single, predetermined role as wives and homemakers; instead, they have the power to explore various relationship dynamics and contribute to redefining gender norms within diverse partnerships (Bishop 2022). LGBTQ+ couples, in particular, exemplify this fluidity because they challenge traditional notions of gender roles and demonstrate the multitude of ways love and commitment can be expressed within modern families. With the rise of diverse family forms such as cohabitation, where couples live together without being married, and living apart together (LAT) families, in which partners maintain committed relationships while living separately, women have more flexibility in crafting their family structures. Polyamorous relationships, where multiple partners consensually share a relationship, also allow women to seek fulfilling connections outside traditional marriage frameworks. Consequently, women feel empowered to make choices that align with their own aspirations rather than conform to conventional expectations or stay in unsatisfying marriages (Lenz 2024).

Divorce can often be seen as a marker of societal progress in reducing rigid gender roles and inequality. Women, like Kim Kardashian, have built successful careers and brands independently of their relationships, challenging traditional norms and contributing to a broader understanding of women’s agency and autonomy. In interviews and public statements, Kim Kardashian has spoken about personal growth and evolving priorities as contributing factors to her decision to end marriages (e.g., see Jackson 2020). This underscores her agency in recognizing and prioritizing her own development and well-being, independent of societal expectations about her marital status.

The concept of the marriage-go-round among celebrities serves as a compelling reminder of the privileged position many public figures occupy, even in the realm of relationship dissolution. Celebrities often have access to resources and opportunities that can influence the dynamics of their relationships in ways that differ significantly from the experiences of the general public. Despite their privileged positions in society, their experiences resonate with broader societal shifts in attitudes toward relationships and family structures. The spotlight on celebrity unions offers a unique lens through which societal norms are both reflected and influenced, contributing to ongoing conversations about the evolving nature of love, marriage, and privilege in the modern world.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can the financial obstacles that most people face when considering divorce be reduced? What are the possible implications of the gap between the ease with which celebrities enter and exit relationships and the challenges many ordinary people encounter in doing the same?
  2. In what ways can the normalization of multiple marriages among celebrities impact societal perceptions of divorce, especially for women? How might this shift influence women’s decisions to leave unhealthy or unfulfilling relationships without fear of judgment?
  3. How does the shift in societal perceptions of marriage stability, from emphasizing duration to prioritizing the quality and fulfillment of relationships, impact individuals’ expectations and experiences in intimate partnerships?
  4. What are the potential implications for the well-being of children in families undergoing the “marriage-go-round,” and how can support systems be effectively implemented to address these challenges?