Nation of Wimps

Diet

Putting the Political Spin in Spinach

Hara Estroff Marano on February 25, 2020

What America needs most right now is a diet to save democracy.

What America needs most right now is a diet to save democracy.

Mating

Everything You Know About Dating Is Probably Wrong

Hara Estroff Marano on August 13, 2018

Dating is really an inside game, but most approach it from the outside-in. No wonder it makes many people so miserable. An interview with Ken Page, author of Deeper Dating.

Dating is really an inside game, but most approach it from the outside-in. No wonder it makes many people so miserable. An interview with Ken Page, author of Deeper Dating.

Sport and Competition

Puzzle: A Film Finds the Missing Pieces in a Woman's Life

Hara Estroff Marano on July 26, 2018

An ordinary gift takes an unremarkable woman to unexpected places.

An ordinary gift takes an unremarkable woman to unexpected places.

Resilience

The "Failure to Launch" Epidemic

Hara Estroff Marano on December 5, 2016

Turning out OK is no longer an outcome acceptable to parents. Today children must be optimized. And that may be why failure-to-launch is a growing problem among young adults.

Turning out OK is no longer an outcome acceptable to parents. Today children must be optimized. And that may be why failure-to-launch is a growing problem among young adults.

Humor

If You Lean In, Will Men Just Look Down Your Blouse?

Hara Estroff Marano on March 30, 2016

How to laugh out loud

How to laugh out loud

Attention

Altered Minds

Hara Estroff Marano on November 20, 2015

In a new film, Altered Minds, director Michael Z Wechsler bases the psychological suspense on covert mind-control experiments.

In a new film, Altered Minds, director Michael Z Wechsler bases the psychological suspense on covert mind-control experiments.

Mating

The Mating Game Is Changing, and You Won't Believe How

Hara Estroff Marano on October 26, 2015

Mating is changing in some very surprising ways in response to an increasing shortage of high-quality men. When it comes to mating, it turns out, numbers change psychology.

Mating is changing in some very surprising ways in response to an increasing shortage of high-quality men. When it comes to mating, it turns out, numbers change psychology.

Fear

Where Did Colleges Go Wrong?

Hara Estroff Marano on October 14, 2015

'Puppy days' and trigger warnings exemplify how colleges are increasingly in the business of infantilizing students rather than developing them.

'Puppy days' and trigger warnings exemplify how colleges are increasingly in the business of infantilizing students rather than developing them.

Technology can be highly misleading about what matters most in the search for a mate.

"Hector and the Search for Happiness" is the title of a new film directed by Peter Chelsom. Its point is that making happiness the goal doesn't work. Part of the problem is that in questing for happiness we flee from unhappiness. But real happiness is richness, encompassing the full spectrum of emotions.

Humor

Backstage with Joan Rivers

Hara Estroff Marano on September 6, 2014

Joan Rivers was hilarious. She was brilliant. And she could be shockingly cutting. Best of all, she was a real working girl.

Joan Rivers was hilarious. She was brilliant. And she could be shockingly cutting. Best of all, she was a real working girl.

Relationships

The New Rules of Relationships

Hara Estroff Marano on July 28, 2014

These are the elements of a healthy relationship.

These are the elements of a healthy relationship.

How is it that those who mean only the best for their kids can wind up bringing out the worst in them?

Parenting

Helicopter Parenting—Uh-Oh, It's the Law!!

Hara Estroff Marano on January 22, 2013

Custody disputes and child-support allocations now force parents to outdo each other at overparenting. By some strange twist of law, that's now considered to be in "the best interests of the child."

Custody disputes and child-support allocations now force parents to outdo each other at overparenting. By some strange twist of law, that's now considered to be in "the best interests of the child."

Attachment

The Worst Idea in the World

Hara Estroff Marano on July 11, 2012

So distorted has child-rearing become in the U.S. that the entire enterprise of attachment has been subverted. Take the case of "attachment parenting."

So distorted has child-rearing become in the U.S. that the entire enterprise of attachment has been subverted. Take the case of "attachment parenting."

Parenting

Feeding Kids via Pouch—You've Got To Be Kidding

Hara Estroff Marano on June 22, 2012

Oh, no. Is it now too much to demand of our kids that they actually sit at a table with us for dinner?

Oh, no. Is it now too much to demand of our kids that they actually sit at a table with us for dinner?

Spirituality

The Grudging Guru

Hara Estroff Marano on June 20, 2012

In a frequently funny new documentary called Kumaré, young American filmmamker Vikram Gandhi grows a beard, adds an accent and a mantra, sheds a lot of clothes, and transforms himself into an Eastern guru who gains a following in the western desert. Kumaré just might be the best-natured takedown of belief you'll ever see.

In a frequently funny new documentary called Kumaré, young American filmmamker Vikram Gandhi grows a beard, adds an accent and a mantra, sheds a lot of clothes, and transforms himself into an Eastern guru who gains a following in the western desert. Kumaré just might be the best-natured takedown of belief you'll ever see.

Diet

Pills or Thrills?

Hara Estroff Marano on July 16, 2008

America's pediatricians have chosen a puzzling approach to kiddie obesity.

America's pediatricians have chosen a puzzling approach to kiddie obesity.

Depression

Happy Mothers Day! Now Get Out of Here!!

Hara Estroff Marano on May 11, 2008

Happy Mothers Day! To all those folks who believe that good parenting is highly involved parenting, take the day off. Let your kids figure out how to manage themselves. You owe it to yourself. And especially to your kids.

Happy Mothers Day! To all those folks who believe that good parenting is highly involved parenting, take the day off. Let your kids figure out how to manage themselves. You owe it to yourself. And especially to your kids.

Sport and Competition

A Troubling Trend of Quitters in the Ivy League

Hara Estroff Marano on May 2, 2008

I want to share with you a totally unsolicited letter I just received from a coach at an Ivy League university, one of many people now "on the front lines of dealing with overparented young people." It spotlights a terrible trend that affects all of us.

I want to share with you a totally unsolicited letter I just received from a coach at an Ivy League university, one of many people now "on the front lines of dealing with overparented young people." It spotlights a terrible trend that affects all of us.