# My brother-in-law is making jokes about divorcing my baby sister on facebook **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 30, 2009, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160 "2009-05-30T14:15:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/41 "2009-05-31T22:19:52Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Ye gods, no. That’s one of my cousins. I never post about this particular sister because she’s not annoying in any fashion. Well, keep on being there for her, then. I admire you for being such a good big brother. Any kids involved in this crumbling relationship? ---
**Author:** ![MissGypsy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@MissGypsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissGypsy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/42 "2009-05-31T23:42:37Z")
Part of me wants to tell you to stop calling a grown woman a “baby” sister. Another part of me wishes I had a big brother to look out for me. Ignore the jackass, and be supportive of your younger sister. Your family sounds about as soap-opera-ish as mine, but at least you are a nice brother who cares about his little sis. ---
**Author:** ![I-VI-ii-V](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c89c15/32.png) [@I-VI-ii-V](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I-VI-ii-V)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/43 "2009-06-01T03:44:17Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > That isn’t what I wanted to type in the subject line, of course. I wanted to write my fucking no-good asshole insensitve brother-in-law whom I will beat with a tire iron the thext time I see him is making jokes about leaving my baby sister for another woman on facebook. > > Son of a bitch!!! Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/44 "2009-06-01T03:51:29Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > First cousin once removed, actually. She’s manged to avoid being grounded recently, so far as I know. She was over here yesterday being a nerd. Ah ok. Glad to see you are able to still offer her refuge, however brief and temporary. > [@Skald the Rhymer](#): > > Wow, I just realized that I’m like Sampiro, only not as funny. Well, you do have your moments. That line made me lol. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/45 "2009-06-01T04:10:36Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > He started by announcing the incipient divorce (which I already knew about) but then, when his friends starting asking why, began making jokes. What kind of jokes? If they’re of the “Can you believe how bitchy my soon-to-be-ex-wife is?” type, that’s one thing. If there of a more innocuous sort and meant to deflect nosy questions, then that could be justifiable. I don’t think it’s necessarily inappropriate to announce a divorce on facebook. It is the sort of the things friends are normally made aware of, principally to garner their emotional support. I suppose it could be unwise, since we sometime engage in exaggerations to make our friends feel better, and we do not always want these exaggerations to become publicly associated with us. Finally, are you sister and your soon-to-be-ex-brother-in-law parting on amicable terms? Keep in mind, sometimes kid sisters don’t always appreciate big brother’s outrage, even if it is on her behalf. At least my two younger sisters definitely feel that way. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/46 "2009-06-01T04:40:36Z")
My friend and (via Star Trek) soul brother. (Okay, it’s a generational thing, and I relate like that to Skald. We have to speak against the abuses, and more modern claims deny what we believe.) She’s your baby sister. I’m n older brother. We have a role in society that goes back millenia. That turd is not only not blood, but also an asshole. Publicly disrespecting your sister is not acceptable. Do what is needed, and ask for a jury trial. It’s Memphis. You’ll walk, if you don’t get some sort of civic award. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/47 "2009-06-01T14:23:32Z")
> [@MissGypsy](#): > > Part of me wants to tell you to stop calling a grown woman a “baby” sister. Another part of me wishes I had a big brother to look out for me. Well, I have two younger sisters. The one who went to high school with me is my LITTLE sister. The one who started walking when I was in junior high in my BABY sister. But I’m very careful not to treat her like a baby. Incidentally, the little sister would have already gotten me into a fistfight at this point. I once turned a corner in high school and heard her saying, “You better take that back, or my big brother is going to kick all three of your asses!” :eek: [QUOTE=dropzone] My friend and (via Star Trek) soul brother. (Okay, it’s a generational thing, and I relate like that to Skald. We have to speak against the abuses, and more modern claims deny what we believe.) She’s your baby sister. I’m n older brother. We have a role in society that goes back millenia. That turd is not only not blood, but also an asshole. Publicly disrespecting your sister is not acceptable. Do what is needed, and ask for a jury trial. It’s Memphis. You’ll walk, if you don’t get some sort of civic award. [/QUOTE] It’s sad that you and I both think this is how the world should work. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/48 "2009-06-01T16:55:54Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > It’s sad that you and I both think this is how the world should work. It isn’t how it works? It’s how it used to work. The punk deserves a Louisville Slugger across at least one kneecap, and the cops would probably look the other way. ETA: Well, they would if you were white. That part I know is how the world still works. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/49 "2009-06-01T18:58:49Z")
> [@MissGypsy](#): > > Part of me wants to tell you to stop calling a grown woman a “baby” sister. That’s not sexism–that’s just older sibling. I still call my younger sibling my “baby brother,” too–he’s 23, 6’3", halfway through his masters, and getting married next month. And **Skald** , if you throw a blanket over his head, first, he won’t have any idea who’s taking a bat to his knees. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/50 "2009-06-01T19:10:35Z")
Would all of you guys who are super out for blood be this pissy if it was a woman talking shit about her ex husband? I don’t really see the difference. It kind of reminds me of the whole, “If you touch/hurt my daughter/sister/whatever, I will MESS YOU UP, man.” Except that this time the guy actually did hurt her and it seems out of the realm of joking. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/51 "2009-06-01T19:26:39Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Would all of you guys who are super out for blood be this pissy if it was a woman talking shit about her ex husband? If my sister-in-law to be ever pulled this kind of shit on my aforementioned baby brother, you bet my ass I would. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/52 "2009-06-01T19:35:12Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > That’s not sexism–that’s just older sibling. I still call my younger sibling my “baby brother,” too–he’s 23, 6’3", halfway through his masters, and getting married next month. This. One of my older brothers, who is close in age to me than I am to the baby sister, still calls me baby brother. So does one of my older sisters, now that I think on it. And my [del]baby[/del] youngest sister still sometimes calls me “big butter” like she did whenshe was four. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/53 "2009-06-01T19:40:55Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > It’s sad that you and I both think this is how the world should work. Yes it is, but probably not in the way you think. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/54 "2009-06-01T19:44:49Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > Yes it is, but probably not in the way you think. I’m not sure you know what I think on this issue. I know that assaulting my soon-to-be-ex brother-in-law for comments he makes on facebook is not merely illegal, but also counterproductive and stupid; moreoever, I know that, even if I could reasonably expect to get away with it, it wouldn’t be best for my sister. I’m not GOING to hit him. But even so–this is my KID SISTER, man. Part of me always sees her as a four-year-old. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/55 "2009-06-01T20:19:57Z")
How embarrassing, really. Using a social networking tool developed for college students to discuss the (likely painful) details of his intimate life for everyone to see? Okay, maybe not everyone, but he’s probably got people accessing his wall that he works with, or distant friends and family members. It’s just so odd that these people can’t stand to message one another or, hey, even email. I know someone’s probably written a paper about it already, but the exhibitionism really does seem to be increasing, I wonder what things will be like in 30-40 years. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/56 "2009-06-01T20:34:04Z")
Well, _probably_ not like [this](http://www.xkcd.com/591/), but the question made me remember it, so I thought I’d share it. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/57 "2009-06-01T20:34:48Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#): > > How embarrassing, really. Using a social networking tool developed for college students to discuss the (likely painful) details of his intimate life for everyone to see? Okay, maybe not everyone, but he’s probably got people accessing his wall that he works with, or distant friends and family members. It’s just so odd that these people can’t stand to message one another or, hey, even email. I know someone’s probably written a paper about it already, but the exhibitionism really does seem to be increasing, I wonder what things will be like in 30-40 years. A book actually. [The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future (Or, Don’t Trust Anyone Under 30)](http://www.amazon.com/Dumbest-Generation-Stupefies-Americans-Jeopardizes/dp/1585426393) > [@](#): > > Review > “If you’re the parent of someone under 20 and read only one non-fiction book this fall, make it this one. Bauerlein’s simple but jarring thesis is that technology and the digital culture it has created are not broadening the horizon of the younger generation; they are narrowing it to a self-absorbed social universe that blocks out virtually everything else.” > —Don Campbell, USA Today For a day or so you’ll be able to [download a podcast of an interview with the author and a Q&A session](http://www.kera.org/audio/think.php). After that you can order a CD copy from the archives if you choose. This is a local PBS radio show that I’m a fan of and try to listen to frequently. It was a pretty good interview, some of it seemed a bit like the old man griping about kids on the lawn, but there was some real meat there too. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/58 "2009-06-01T20:50:46Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > A book actually. [The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future (Or, Don’t Trust Anyone Under 30)](http://www.amazon.com/Dumbest-Generation-Stupefies-Americans-Jeopardizes/dp/1585426393) :rolleyes:. Times about fifty. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/59 "2009-06-01T21:09:55Z")
Yea, I think he may have shot himself in the foot with the title. He admits in the interview that he was looking to be provocative, and he welcomes people to argue with him because that shows they’re willing to talk and engage in critical thinking. As is I think the book may get some circulation among Gen X when they’re whining about Gen Y, but it won’t become Gen Y’s mirror like the author hoped it would. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160/60 "2009-06-01T21:17:15Z")
**Mtgman** , I could title a book \*Everyone Over Thirty Is a Retard Who’s Scared of Computers \*and claim I’m just trying to engage people, but I’d still be a moron. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-in-law-is-making-jokes-about-divorcing-my-baby-sister-on-facebook/498160.md?page=4)