As an adult, Chanel Dubofsky now sees that many of the lessons she was taught as a child were products of her mother’s and grandmother’s own insecurity. I think often of what my mother would say about this life I’m living. I think about it when I’m at home, (where I live with many people, […]
Ashley Lauren Samsa applauds a young girl’s petition to the CEO of Hasbro to start featuring boys in its Easy-Bake Oven promotional material. My husband and I don’t have children yet so, fortunately, we are able to put off the struggle to explain to relatives and friends why we want our kids to receive whatever […]
Callum Angus explains how cooking and his boyfriend have helped him understand femininity as a Female-to-Male transsexual. When I was growing up, my self-employed, stay-at-home father did most of the cooking. He would make breakfast in the morning, pack my lunch for school, and have a simple but nutritious dinner on the table for 5pm […]
Men may joke around more about their appearance, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to body image issues. Ever since my niece was born seven years ago, I’ve worried about what will happen when another girl teases her about some aspect of her appearance. The way I see it, there’s no chance that it won’t happen; by […]
Why is it OK for men to poke fun of each other’s physical flaws? I take off my pants, belt still attached, and throw them hard to the ground like I’m spiking a football. “Don’t you oppress me pants!” I yell at the discarded Wrangler’s jeans. I scold the leg sleeves as they lay haphazard, […]
If you knew that this Thanksgiving would be the last time you were surrounded by all those you love best, would you be able to savor it? To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping […]
When antiquated gender roles no longer fit the family dynamic, someone’s got to break tradition. Of all the holidays that I bemoan, Thanksgiving is the one in which I play my Pick Your Battles card and allow myself to enjoy without too much inner turmoil. In spite of the holiday’s history, for me it prevails […]
Kate Abbott finally decided to get help for her postpartum depression at the Happiest Place on Earth. Eight months postpartum, I knew something was wrong with me, but I was still determined to fix myself on my own, without doctors or drugs or therapists. I thought all I really needed was a vacation. We would […]
