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.
‘Best Friends’ Are a Surprisingly Recent Phenomenon
We weren’t always so taken with dynamic duos. But in recent decades, we’ve come to expect that people should have one closest companion.
The Dilemma of Babies on Airplanes
Hamstrung by the need to ensure that their kids don’t inconvenience anyone else, parents can’t do much parenting at all.
An Alternative to Overspending on Presents
Gift-giving is a beloved—and expensive—tradition. But some people have found a way to partake without the cost.
Dear Therapist: How Do I Hold Boundaries With My Sister at Christmas?
I don’t want a relationship with her, but my parents want us to make up.
We Are Not Prepared for the Coming Surge of Babies
The post-Roe rise in births in the U.S. will be concentrated in some of the worst states for infant and maternal health. Plans to improve these outcomes are staggeringly thin.
What Second-Chance Couples Know About Love
Getting back together with an ex is risky—but it might pay off.
Should Friends Offer Honesty or Unconditional Support?
A “culture of passivity” makes many people reluctant to question their friends’ decisions.
We’re All Capable of Going ‘Goblin Mode’
The Oxford Word of the Year tells a concise story about how many of us are doing these days.
Haunted by the Ghost of 2019
Our obsession with going back to our pre-pandemic lives is keeping us from building a better future.
Breakups Always Hurt, but You Can Shorten the Suffering
Three steps to get over your ex