Family

Dear Therapist: I Cannot Support My Mother’s Marriage

Her soon-to-be husband abused her and traumatized me.

Why AI Doesn’t Get Slang

And why that’s a good thing

Are Pet Cloners Happy With Their Choice?

You can replicate an animal’s DNA, but you can’t re-create its relationship with a human.

Is a Coincidental Similarity Enough for Real Intimacy?

Why people are seeking out their “astrological twins” online

You Can Learn to Be Photogenic

Hollywood invented the idea that some people naturally look better on camera. Don’t believe it.

Good Luck Getting Into the Club

Nightlife cover charges can be arbitrary and humiliating—yet people still accept them.

Group-Chat Culture Is Out of Control

The most social social media these days is … texting. And it’s gotten overwhelming.

Dear Therapist: My Mother Is Rewarding My Brother’s Bad Behavior

I feel like she’s ignoring his mistakes by leaving him a substantial inheritance.

The Parents Trying to Pass Down a Language They Hardly Speak

Losing your family’s language can feel like an inevitable side effect of immigration—but it’s one I want to prevent.

Dogs Need Understanding, Not Dominance

As “gentle parenting” has become a popular method of raising kids punishment-free, a parallel shift is happening in the world of dog training.

Parent Diplomacy Is Overwhelming Teachers

And it’s only getting worse.

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 are 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.