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Relationships

Dating, friendships, colleagues, and more — Vox explores how to think about relationships in life.

When friendship means scheduling a dinner date four weeks outWhen friendship means scheduling a dinner date four weeks out
Even Better

Super-schedulers have a solution for our busy lives. Not everyone is a fan.

By Allie Volpe
My boyfriend wants to pay my expenses. Am I a bad feminist if I let him?
Future Perfect

I value my independence and don’t want my partner to end up controlling me.

By Sigal Samuel
The rise of chatbot “friends”The rise of chatbot “friends”
Future Perfect

Wait, what is a friend anyway?

By Angela Chen
The only generation not in a sex recessionThe only generation not in a sex recession
Explain It to Me

It’s not just in the movies. Gen X women are having the best sex of their lives.

By Jonquilyn Hill
The surprisingly simple reason kids have imaginary friendsThe surprisingly simple reason kids have imaginary friends
Life

If your child starts talking to a can of tomato paste, don’t worry.

By Anna North
Americans’ increasing antisocial habits, explained in one chartAmericans’ increasing antisocial habits, explained in one chart
Even Better

More people report eating their meals alone. Here’s why that matters.

By Allie Volpe
Introverts should (sometimes) act like extrovertsIntroverts should (sometimes) act like extroverts
Advice

Trust me: I tried it.

By Olga Khazan
Can men get better at dating?Can men get better at dating?
Explain It to Me

A dating coach for men on the state of relationships.

By Hady Mawajdeh
The problem with dating? Your standards might be too high.The problem with dating? Your standards might be too high.
Even Better

How to make sure your expectations for a partner are realistic.

By Allie Volpe
Validate me, please!Validate me, please!
Even Better

Why other people’s approval is so intoxicating.

By Allie Volpe
I don’t want to be an angry person like my mom. Is it inevitable?I don’t want to be an angry person like my mom. Is it inevitable?
Future Perfect

I feel intense guilt after getting angry. And if I shrug off that guilt, I worry I’ll become a bad person.

By Sigal Samuel
The weird, joyful book that’s getting me through this winterThe weird, joyful book that’s getting me through this winter
Books

Taking life lessons from an anthropomorphic owl.

By Anna North
Want a better social life? Try these easy habits.Want a better social life? Try these easy habits.
Even Better

Why you should aim for one meaningful social interaction a day and other strategies for improving your “social biome.”

By Allie Volpe
Why are young men so hopeless at dating?Why are young men so hopeless at dating?
Explain It to Me

The rules of romance have changed. Can men keep up?

By Allie Volpe
My 93-year-old grandma has the best advice for throwing a great partyMy 93-year-old grandma has the best advice for throwing a great party
Even Better

It turns out the most enjoyable gatherings can be totally spontaneous.

By Allie Volpe
“Protecting your peace” can kill your friendships“Protecting your peace” can kill your friendships
Even Better

Frictionless relationships are just a fantasy.

By Allie Volpe
My nail-biting quest for confidence
Even Better

I wanted to be confident. Then I started having doubts.

By Rachel Sugar
Thinking about merging finances with your partner? Here’s what to consider.Thinking about merging finances with your partner? Here’s what to consider.
Even Better

First comes love, then comes a joint banking account?

By Allie Volpe
Why gossip is just so irresistible
Culture

An illustrated guide to its delicious, subversive appeal.

By Angie Wang
Major change doesn’t have to wreck your friendshipsMajor change doesn’t have to wreck your friendships
Life

Everyone evolves. Your friendships can too.

By Angel Martinez
Get out of your chair every hour and 11 other ways to improve your life in 2025Get out of your chair every hour and 11 other ways to improve your life in 2025
Even Better

The best advice we got this year.

By Allie Volpe
Can you still be close to someone whose politics you despise?Can you still be close to someone whose politics you despise?
Even Better

Why some Americans are rethinking estrangement in a second Trump presidency.

By Allie Volpe
Are men okay? Our modern masculinity problem, explained.Are men okay? Our modern masculinity problem, explained.
Podcast
The Gray Area

Why is it so hard to talk about masculinity?

By Sean Illing
Can men and women still be friends?Can men and women still be friends?
Even Better

We may be in the middle of a new gender war, but friendships with the opposite sex are still very much worth it.

By Allie Volpe
The author of the seminal book about loneliness explains what we’re getting wrongThe author of the seminal book about loneliness explains what we’re getting wrong
Podcast
Today, Explained podcast

Nearly 25 years after Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone, Americans are more socially isolated than ever.

By Miranda Kennedy and Noel King
Family estrangement doesn’t have to be foreverFamily estrangement doesn’t have to be forever
The Highlight

Reconnecting with someone you’ve cut ties with isn’t easy — but it can be done.

By Fortesa Latifi
Is it possible to have both pride and humility?Is it possible to have both pride and humility?
Explain It to Me

In a culture that rewards relentless bragging, staying humble takes practice and introspection.

By Allie Volpe
Why so many families are “drowning in toys”
How to get through the holidays without going broke

America is in toy overload, and it might just be ruining fun.

By Anna North
How to host holiday gatherings without losing your mind
How to get through the holidays without going broke

Experts share tips on entertaining on a small budget — and an even smaller space.

By Rebecca Jennings
These apps promise to help you make new friends. Could it work for me?
Even Better

Is my new best friend just a swipe away?

By Allie Volpe
Guiding kids — and ourselves — through the election aftermathGuiding kids — and ourselves — through the election aftermath
Life

For now, I’m thinking locally.

By Anna North
I don’t want children. I do want children. What should I do?
Future Perfect

How can you know if you truly want to be a parent?

By Sigal Samuel
Is Halloween less scary than it used to be?Is Halloween less scary than it used to be?
Life

Why we’ve said goodbye to the Goosebumps of our youth.

By Anna North
Reality dating shows need to reckon with their toxic men problemReality dating shows need to reckon with their toxic men problem
Culture

Lying, cheating, and dark pasts are a feature — not a bug — on TV’s biggest shows.

By Li Zhou
Why weeping online is internet goldWhy weeping online is internet gold
Culture

The new incentives of turning your pain into content.

By Rebecca Jennings
The surprising source of kids’ stress lurking on parents’ phonesThe surprising source of kids’ stress lurking on parents’ phones
Life

Grade-tracking apps are giving kids anxiety.

By Anna North
The new burnout generationThe new burnout generation
Life

Grind culture has come for the teens.

By Anna North
How to prepare for growing older if you don’t have kidsHow to prepare for growing older if you don’t have kids
Even Better

It’s normal to worry about who will care for you, but with a little advance planning, child-free seniors can thrive.

By Seraphina Seow
The itchy, not-too-terrifying truth about head liceThe itchy, not-too-terrifying truth about head lice
Life

The myths and realities about the itchiest childhood tradition.

By Anna North
Let’s get divorced
Relationships

An exploration of divorce and its impact on our culture.

By Vox Staff