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.
Dear Therapist: My Brother-in-Law Is a Thanksgiving Freeloader
Do I have to invite him this year?
Marriage Is a Team Sport
Approach disagreements with your partner not as a “me,” but as a “we.”
The Case for a Long Divorce
Some people going through breakups are reconsidering the best way to end a relationship, including how to honor their time together.
What I’ve Learned From Four Years of Open DMs
Some of the meanest users turn out to be vulnerable, even decent, when I engage with them.
Why Did We All Have the Same Childhood?
Children have a folklore all their own, and the games, rhymes, trends, and legends that catch on spread to many kids across time and space.
How to Love People Who Love Conspiracies
Fighting over the facts is unlikely to convince anyone.
The Decline of Etiquette and the Rise of ‘Boundaries’
For centuries, strict social norms dictated what people could politely talk about. Now we have to figure it out for ourselves.
Why Are People Weird About Only Children?
“Onlies” don’t seem to be any worse off than kids with siblings. So why do stereotypes about them persist?
Dear Therapist: I Don’t Think I Can Accept My Boyfriend’s Past
Seeing photos with his ex-wife and kids pushed me over the edge.
Adult Halloween Is Stupid, Embarrassing, and Very Important
The most inherently childish holiday might be the one grown-ups need the most.