Real Housewives Echo Some Real Values

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (The_Real_Sillyspice’s – photobucket)

Play word association with “family values” and I can practically guarantee that what you won’t think of is “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (RHOA). And yet, “family values” are exactly what NeNe Leakes is espousing to America — sort of.

NeNe’s once-ex-husband-now-new-fiancé, Gregg, re-proposed to her at the end of RHOA Season 5, claiming he didn’t want his family to be a statistic. They are currently preparing for a second time at the altar, and you know what I say? I say: “Good for them.”

“Real Housewives” is (obviously) not the place I would choose to go to for reassurance that the world I now live in has not gone mad. There are many, many problems with that franchise, and not least that it contributes to the flawed perception that all women are catty and mean and untrustworthy.

I do, though, applaud NeNe and Gregg for their willingness to work out their marital problems and to think about the emotional health of their son, Brentt. It could be argued that taking part in a hit reality TV show and running a highly-publicized divorce on the show isn’t exactly thinking about the well-being of their child. However, no one but NeNe, Gregg, and Brentt really know what their family dynamics are, and provided Gregg and NeNe’s relationship is one of a loving partnership, I am glad that America has an example of a couple that has fought through difficulty and come out the other side intact.

Congratulations, Leakes, and best wishes for your renewed life together!

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Laura Creel (@Little_Utopia) is the managing editor of Little Utopia.