This to me is a perfect example of a dominant and submissive relationship gone wrong.

A bit of commentary about this subject, hopefully in a constructive way:

I am not a big fan of their show. Sometimes the way family members are treated (and not treated) on this show has been painful to watch. I always viewed John and Kate, the parents of 8 children, a bit differently than conventional folk tended to.

I view John as a submissive partner and Kate as a dominant partner. 

The following opinion is derived from scenes I viewed on John and Kate Plus Eight on TLC over the course of several years, along with direct quotes and expressions from each of them during interviews over the past year. 

John used his power and energy to work hard for the children according to Kate’s wishes and directives.

That was his role.  He seemed at home there, yet didn’t seem to get much positive reinforcement; instead he was demeaned and criticized.

Kate’s role was to lead.  Her role included delegating and directing.  She should have been more physically and emotionally supportive to her husband and father of their children.  She seemed disappointed because John didn’t understand her purpose at times and didn’t have as much attention to detail as she did.

Both were very immature and severely neglected their obligations for the health and maintenance of their marital bond. 

John doesn’t seem to know what to do with his current girlfriend, since he will not be satisfied in a relationship until he finds his dominant (not domineering) counterpart; who is loving and caring.

Kate is lonely because she is too domineering.  Not many would chance a relationship with her and less would have the chance of succeeding and earning her praise and love.  She will not be satisfied in a relationship until she finds a submissive who she respects and loves.

Try as they may, but the submissive one will not have a long-term, fulfilling relationship without a true caring dominant partner and the dominant partner in this case will not have a trusting, healthy permanent relationship without their true submissive counterpart.

Neither is ready for this.  John seems to be floating from one set of beliefs to another religion, one lawyer to another and one girlfriend to another, lost in confusion – even though people simply refer to it as indulgence.

Kate is alone and is pouring through assistants, bodyguards, friends, babysitters, and has even lost her closest family members.

If both had worked on acknowledging their true selves and improving the roles they fit naturally to serve each other and their children, this may not have happened. 

But then, that’s easy to say in such a complicated situation.

Let’s all hope for the best for the kids, who already have suffered more loss, change and confusion than most at this age.