Jon Gosselin probably preferred his life of anonymity with his wife and eight children. He and Kate despite their youth could have made it as a couple. They appeared to be in love, practiced their religion, and were well organized taking care of their children. Jon loved his job and riding his motorcycle; Kate worked as a nurse. Chores and child-rearing was a team effort. However, their fifteen minutes of fame created problems that ultimately drove their marriage to ruin.

There were obstacles before the reality show of Jon and Kate plus Eight came their way. They married too early, just four years after high school. They had twins in the first year of their marriage. The couple had eight children before Jon was 30 years old. This brought extensive media attention to the family. The cameras put the family under a microscope that unlocked conflicts with the husband and wife; something which they were clearly not prepared to endure.

Watching the show, it appeared that Kate was always in charge. The two did not appear to be equally yoked. Jon was quiet and compliant. Kate talked the most, and quickly showed her husband little courtesy and respect. Each show became more embarrassing and emasculating than the one before. Kate Gosselin yelled at her husband Jon in front of millions of people. She once called him stupid in front of their children. She often disagreed with him and even hit him on occasion.

Finally Jon had enough of the fame and the impact it was having on their marriage and children.  He complained privately and on the show about the negative influences, particularly regarding Kate. Jon decided to visit his sick mother, and clear his head. He allegedly had dinner with a female friend. The paparazzi caught him, and Kate went beside herself with rage. Jon soon moved out. He didn't leave the marriage so much as escaped from it. No wonder when he was finally set free, he went crazy in the streets. So far, Jon has been a prolific and clumsy cheater.

Let's remember that Jon was a working stiff before they started to make millions from the reality program. He was an IT Analyst who kept his job throughout the first few years on the show. Jon is now unemployed. He can't find a job on TV or otherwise. He is a stay at home dad who has to be available to baby sit the kids when Kate is off doing media events. Still, he has to pay a $22,000 a month child support mandate. Kate meanwhile, was on the cover of People magazine as recently as September 2010.  She has a career in show business, writing books, celebrity interviews, doing speaking tours, and Dancing with The Stars.

Kate was clearly in charge before the split. She dictated how many children they would have, initiated the divorce, and arranged to stay on the air after the divorce. She is currently raising their children in the public media. So while she seems to be taking everything in stride, Jon has been running around like a chicken with his head cut off. Free, but not knowing what to do or where to go.

It is clear that Jon has some growing up to do. He is still looking for the validation that Kate denied him as her husband. It has not been easy finding oneself in front of a camera all the time. Jon is chastised for playing the field. What else does a man with low self-esteem do when he's been let out of jail? Clearly he needs structure and self-discipline, now that he doesn't have his wife to tell him what to do. Bashing him because he's not a rocket scientist so far has been counter-productive.

Jon appears to want a private life again. Lately he has resisted the urge to go tit for tat with Kate. Kate however, continues to bash her ex-husband in public. We have to wonder what she says to the children in private. Scandal continues to follow Jon through his ex girlfriend Halley Glassman. She also enjoys bashing Jon in public. It seems that there is a line of people eager to get their fifteen minutes of fame by taking turns throwing him under the bus.

Who knows how this will all end? The children are the ones who have yet to chime in with their version of the post-divorce situation. That's the problem with living in public scrutiny. While the adults screw up their marriages, bash and disrespect each other, the children are left to watch it all played out on television with only their camera crew as friends.