Why does the New York Times keep printing stories about gender relations in the wake of layoff that make me want to throw up?

The latest (thank you, Shira!): “It’s the Economy, Girlfriend.” Some snippets, so that you can consider barfing, between the tears, too:

Once it was seen as a blessing in certain circles to have a wealthy, powerful partner who would leave you alone with the credit card while he was busy brokering deals. Now, many Wall Street wives, girlfriends and, increasingly, exes, are living the curse of cutbacks in nanny hours and reservations at Masa or Megu. And that credit card? Canceled.

Raoul Felder, the Manhattan divorce lawyer, said that cases involving financiers always stack up as the economy starts to slip, because layoffs and shrinking bonuses place stress on relationships — and, he said, because “there aren’t funds or time for mistresses any more.”

The article goes on, but you get the point.

You could say I’m bitter because I live in New York and have never eaten at (nor even heard of) Masa or Megu.  But as I’ve said before, and as I firmly believe, loss is relative.  That’s not what bothers me about this piece.

Here’s what bothers me: Among other things, aren’t women on Wall Street also losing their jobs? And are all the women in Manhattan who date bankers as shallow as the women profiled in this article? I think NOT (and personally, I know quite a few–but then, most of the ones I know are bankers themselves, too).

So why, then, must we continue to be treated to stories about how the elite are suffering by cutting back on their Botox?  Aren’t there more pressing stories to tell?

Regardless, and as a bit of a tangent, here’s where it gets a little more interesting.  My favorite tidbit from the article?  The fact that a number of these Wall Street widows have gotten together and created a blog, Dating A Banker Anonymous (DABA).  From the site’s description:

Are you or someone you love dating a banker? If so, we are here to support you through these difficult times. Dating A Banker Anonymous (DABA) is a safe place where women can come together – free from the scrutiny of feminists– and share their tearful tales of how the mortgage meltdown has affected their relationships.

As a scrutinizing feminist, I confess to enjoying the frivolity, humor, and enterprising spirit of the site.  Some of it also makes me rather queasy, as I think it’s intended to do.  But check it out for yourself.  Whatever else it is, it’s highly over the top.