Public slams, supports marriage-condemning columnist

Shari Puterman | The Asbury Park (N.J.) Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Sex columnist: 5 reasons why marriages don't work Sex columnist Anthony D'Ambrosio says "marriages today just don't work" for people of his generation. He offers five reasons why. The 29-year-old divorcee has gained an international following for his relationship columns in the 'Asbury Park Press.'

Putting yourself in the public eye comes with consequences.

Anthony D'Ambrosio, 29, of Wall, N.J., has been getting tons of support and positive messages about how "on point" he was with his latest relationship column, "5 reasons we can't handle marriage anymore."

He's also been getting slammed by critics since the story hit the Asbury Park Press website April 6.

He cites lack of sex, crippling finances, disconnect, seeking attention and social media as the destroyers of a sacred institution.

His take on sex:

"It's not just boredom that stops sex from happening," he writes. "Everywhere you look, there's pictures of men and women we know half naked — some look better than your husband or wife. So it becomes desirable. It's in your face every single day and changes your mindset."

His take on the disconnect between couples:

"You want to know why your grandmother and grandfather just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary? Because they weren't scrolling through Instagram worrying about what John ate for dinner. They weren't on Facebook criticizing others. They weren't on vacation sending Snapchats to their friends."

D'Ambrosio, who is divorced, concludes by saying, "Immediately, people will assume that my failed marriage is why I am expressing these emotions; that's not the case. It's what I see around me every single day that inspired me to write this article."

That's just a sample of the article that has made it way around the Jersey Shore, and now, around the entire cyber-world.

Here are some of the comments that appeared on the newspaper's Facebook page about D'Ambrosio's column:

1) Judging by yet another whining article with brushstrokes painted as broad as you can get due to very little life experience, I would have guessed that you're sleeping with the editor in order for these columns to be published.

Mary Polk

2) This sounds like a 13-year-old's take on the subject, something he had to write for a 7th-grade composition class. Most of it has nothing to do with marriage or any other relationship. Not judging his failed marriage, either. My first one didn't last long, but none of this would contribute to the divorce of anyone actually old enough to be married.

Sean Ramsden

3) I get what he is saying. If you read the conclusion, he is observing that some of these things can definitely get in between people. He also states that he is still hopeful, despite his divorce. Stay hopeful, Anthony. I am getting married for the second time this week, and I am grateful every second that I found that love again. You will too.

Jennifer Thomas

4) Very smart young man. I absolutely love what he said here, "If you want to love someone, stop seeking attention from everyone because you'll never be satisfied with the attention from one person."

Mike Kirsch

5) If you were (one) the "people being portrayed" here, she would be well within her right to hold back the "nookie" if you can't hold a conversation with her, have a cup of coffee, have a little INTIMACY! Hate to mention that, but you failed to point out intimacy out in the article, I guess because, intimacy is something that a person in the relationship is responsible for which may just eliminate the need for a cell phone, but judging by the article, responsibility is nowhere to be found. Grow up son, man up and when you remarry, be the man she needs you to be.

Michael Sicola