Commitment is not a circle of diamonds or a bouquet of peonies or a fancy ceremony in a chapel. And what we invest in symbols can easily disappear, says Wendy Fontaine. The salesman brings a ring that isn’t at all what I want. It’s too big, too expensive, and sticks up too high on my […]
For those of us who are dating for the old-fashioned reason of trying to get to know someone, a transactional approach is deeply damaging, says Emily Heist Moss. “I’ve got a pretty face and a pretty extensive Urban Spoon wish list…We all know that getting what you want in life can be tough, which is […]
Lots of straight people are ashamed to admit they’ve had anal sex. The author explores why she was too. So I did it. I had anal sex. The day after, my boyfriend asked me if he could tell his friends that we had anal sex. I hesitated for a moment, and he added quickly that he […]
Titles like ‘wife’ and ‘girlfriend’ carry with them embedded gender roles and pre-determinations that Drew Bowling says he’d rather avoid altogether. At the spry, still-green age of 32, I’ve recently come around to the realization, be it early or late, that other people now see me as an adult in spite of how juvenile I […]
This originally appeared on Everyday Feminism. Republished here with permission. Three million Americans read Cosmopolitan, a popular women’s magazine that features articles on fashion, beauty, and—most famously—sex. It’s become somewhat of a cultural icon—the place where women go to seek information and advice about sexuality and relationships. And while women feeling empowered to take their […]
This originally appeared on Mamamia. Republished here with permission. Apparently, we women have a problem. Something so insidious it’s stopping us from “keeping a man.” (Yes, I loathe that term too.) Just last week I encountered yet another strong friend I admire in distress, her relationship almost over. The problem, her partner had explained to […]
Khadijah Costley White never wanted to get married. But as she enters the third year of a healthy relationship—and watches countless wedding announcements fill her newsfeed—she’s begun to question her stance. I’m in a good relationship. Actually—dare I say it—a great relationship. My guy and I respect each other, enjoy our own company, laugh at […]
True commitment doesn’t require a ring and a set of legal documents, says Traci Foust. For 16 years my mother was romantically involved with a married man. Frank was good to our family. He loved our mother. We all knew about his “situation.” Sometimes Frank gave us birthday cards with 50-dollar bills inside them. Sometimes […]
