The Most Tortured Relationship in America
Monogamy is one of the last bipartisan ideals—even if people struggle to live up to it.
Family
In Praise of ‘Difficult’ Kids
Feisty children can be exhausting. They also possess a moral fire that deserves cultivating.
The Endless Goodbye
More than a decade before my dad died, I lost him to dementia.
Everyone Thinks They Need a NeeDoh
But no one can find one.
The Devaluation of Care Work Is by Design
American capitalism relies on free and cheap domestic labor. Our economic systems cannot be truly equitable and just unless we compensate care work fairly.
The Key to a Good Parent-Child Relationship? Low Expectations.
Imperfect people can still enjoy a satisfying and healthy bond.
How Affluence Pulls People Away From Their Families
Money and education allow many people to venture farther, without needing to rely on relatives for child care or a place to sleep. But that freedom sometimes goes hand in hand with isolation.
How to Quit Intensive Parenting
It’s the prevailing American child-rearing model across class lines. But there’s a better way.
‘Mom Brain’ Isn’t a Joke
When our culture makes fun of mothers’ forgetfulness, it is abdicating responsibility for the overwork women are experiencing and its effects on their health.
The Holocaust Started With My Great-Uncle’s Murder
Arthur Kahn is believed to be the first Jewish person killed by the Nazis. I’ve known the story of his death as long as I can remember, but I wanted to learn the story of his life.
Ben Franklin’s Radical Theory of Happiness
Ken Burns grades the Founding Father’s pursuit of a good life.
How to Stop Freaking Out
If you can prevent your emotions from taking over in the face of stress, you can avoid a lot of regret and set a good example for others.
A Smarter Way to Divide Chores?
Couples who share every task, rather than having their own separate to-do lists, tend to be more satisfied with their relationship.
Dear Therapist: My Dad Is Trying to Force His Way Into My Life
I’ve told him that I don’t want to talk to him, but he won’t leave me alone.