In Praise of ‘Difficult’ Kids
Feisty children can be exhausting. They also possess a moral fire that deserves cultivating.
Family
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 Sneaky-Saver Generation
Gen Z may have a Peter Pan reputation—but it’s also saving a lot of money.
Don’t Let Love Take Over Your Life
The case for love-life balance
Jenisha From Kentucky
I came to New York sure of one thing—that no one could ever know my past.
America Has a Private-Beach Problem
A shockingly small portion of the shoreline is truly available to the public.
The Other Work Remote Workers Get Done
Telecommuting allows caregivers to manage a workload that is, if anything, way too big.
What Adults Forget About Friendship
Just catching up can feel stale. Playing and wasting time together like kids do is how you make memories.
Dear Therapist: I Feel Tremendously Guilty for Not Taking Care of My Aging, Alcoholic Mother
Distancing myself from her was heart-wrenching. It was also the healthiest choice.
A Crush Can Teach You a Lot About Yourself
There’s no harm in fantasies, even if you know they’ll never come true.
The Death of an Indispensable Person
Carmen Ayala, caretaker for Adele Halperin, the subject of The Atlantic’s September 2023 cover story, has died. She was 81.
Diamonds Are for Girls’ Best Friends
As marriage rates decline, the diamond industry is turning its eye to platonic relationships.
The Longest Relationships of Our Lives
As brothers and sisters grow up, what they do can determine whether they stay stuck in their childhood roles—or break free of them.