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Life

Understanding the world isn’t just about explaining the news. Vox’s coverage examining religion, love, family, careers, and how we live.

Puberty is changing. We should talk about it.
Audio
Today, Explained podcastMember Exclusive

For many children, puberty is starting earlier and lasting longer.

By Haleema Shah and Noel King
Puberty is changing. We should talk about it.
Audio
Today, Explained podcastMember Exclusive

For many children, puberty is starting earlier and lasting longer.

By Haleema Shah and Noel King
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 divorcedLet’s get divorced
Relationships

An exploration of divorce and its impact on our culture.

By Vox Staff
Am I less likely to get a divorce than my parents?Am I less likely to get a divorce than my parents?
Explain It to Me

Millennials are less likely to get divorced than their parents. Why?

By Jonquilyn Hill

The latest in Life

What you really need to know about divorce and money
The Highlight

How to take charge of your finances, according to two divorce professionals.

By Nicole Dieker Finley
How “Divorce him!” became the internet’s de facto relationship advice
The Highlight

Most men are walking red flags, according to TikTok.

By Rebecca Jennings
What if we celebrated divorces more like weddings?
The Highlight

Divorced people deserve gifts and parties too.

By Whizy Kim
Why do divorced guys dress like that? 
The Highlight

The aggressively, brutally companionless divorced guy aesthetic.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Everything you need to know about voting right now
The 2022 midterm elections, explained

From registering to vote to understanding your rights, here’s what to expect this Election Day.

By Allie Volpe
This popular sex trend is far more dangerous than you think
Even BetterMember Exclusive

Sexual choking is astonishingly common among young people.

By Keren Landman, MD
Biden’s push for child care failed. What lessons are there for Kamala Harris?Biden’s push for child care failed. What lessons are there for Kamala Harris?
Politics

The “care economy” agenda collapsed despite a Democratic trifecta. A divided government is more likely next time.

By Rachel M. Cohen
A DNA test upended my family. Do I side with my grandmother — or her secret child?
Future PerfectMember Exclusive

I don’t know what I owe my newfound relative.

By Sigal Samuel
Ta-Nehisi Coates’s troubled American conscienceTa-Nehisi Coates’s troubled American conscience
CultureMember Exclusive

The acclaimed writer takes on another intractable problem.

By Constance Grady
The profit-obsessed monster destroying American emergency rooms
Health CareMember Exclusive

Private equity decimated emergency care in the United States — without you even noticing.

By Keren Landman, MD
7 questions — and zero conspiracy theories — about the allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs7 questions — and zero conspiracy theories — about the allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs
Culture

Everything we know about the growing case against the music mogul.

By Lavanya Ramanathan and Anna North
What to do — and what to avoid — to help those affected by Hurricane HeleneWhat to do — and what to avoid — to help those affected by Hurricane Helene
Even Better

You shouldn’t travel to a flood zone, but you can still support the recovery.

By Allie Volpe
The astonishing rise of gray divorce
The HighlightMember Exclusive

Why more Americans than ever are splitting up in their 50s and beyond.

By Allie Volpe
How bad is inflammation really?How bad is inflammation really?
Even Better

Doctors explain how to tell the truth from social media BS.

By Keren Landman, MD
These remote workers moved to Portugal for work-life balance. Is their life as fun as it looks?These remote workers moved to Portugal for work-life balance. Is their life as fun as it looks?
Future of WorkMember Exclusive

For the Portuguese, the answer is complicated.

By Victoria Chamberlin
What will the Supreme Court unleash on America in its new term?What will the Supreme Court unleash on America in its new term?
Supreme Court

The justices return to Washington after an unforgivable betrayal.

By Ian Millhiser
The yellow school bus is in troubleThe yellow school bus is in trouble
LifeMember Exclusive

The disappearance of bus service is hurting kids around the country.

By Anna North
Is making friends as an adult really hard, or is it just me?Is making friends as an adult really hard, or is it just me?
Explain It to Me

It’s tough out there. But it’s not all bad news.

By Allie Volpe
Why do we say “like,” like, all the time? Why do we say “like,” like, all the time? 
Explain It to Me

In defense of the supremely useful and unfairly maligned word.

By Jonquilyn Hill
Should I sacrifice my emergency savings to pay off a loan?
Life

Using your savings to pay off a loan can be tempting. Is it worth it?

By Nicole Dieker Finley
How Minion Jesus died — and then rose — on TikTokHow Minion Jesus died — and then rose — on TikTok
Internet Culture

The winding, weird story that even involves, yes, the battle for the White House.

By Laura Bullard
The scary truth about how far behind American kids have fallenThe scary truth about how far behind American kids have fallen
Education

Students of all ages still haven’t made up the ground they lost during the pandemic.

By Anna North
Applying to college? Seven current students on how to stand out and stay sane.
Even Better

What these undergrads wish they had known before navigating the process.

By Allie Volpe
This is what admissions officers really want to read in college essays
Even Better

The important thing is not to overthink it.

By Allie Volpe
You got into college. How will you pay for it?
Even Better

Going to school is undeniably expensive. But there are ways to lower the cost.

By Allie Volpe
What if the panic over teens and tech is totally wrong?What if the panic over teens and tech is totally wrong?
Technology

The collective freakout about the youth mental health crisis has reached a tipping point.

By Adam Clark Estes
Instagram’s Teen Accounts aren’t really for teensInstagram’s Teen Accounts aren’t really for teens
Technology

What to know about Meta’s new restrictions on young people’s social media use.

By Ellen Ioanes
Yet another person got bird flu. Now should I freak out?Yet another person got bird flu. Now should I freak out?
Even Better

Experts are losing a little sleep over the latest Missouri case, but that doesn’t mean you should.

By Keren Landman, MD
Diddy’s arrest — and the allegations against him — explainedDiddy’s arrest — and the allegations against him — explained
Culture

The rapper’s indictment on sex trafficking and other charges is the latest in a months-long saga of sexual assault and violence allegations.

By Anna North
Linkin Park is back. Its new frontwoman has ties to Scientology.Linkin Park is back. Its new frontwoman has ties to Scientology.
Culture

Linkin Park fans welcomed new vocalist Emily Armstrong. Then the Scientology allegations surfaced.

By Aja Romano
America’s long history of anti-Haitian racism, explainedAmerica’s long history of anti-Haitian racism, explained
Politics

The US has often singled out Haitian immigrants. GOP attacks are the latest example.

By Li Zhou
How Republicans became the party of raunch
Culture

The right thinks that hot girls can “kill woke.” What?

By Constance Grady
When did sodas, teas, and tonics become medicine?
Even Better

From prebiotic sodas to collagen waters, beverages are trying to do the most. Consumers are drinking it up.

By Keren Landman, MD
How do kids have fun? Inside the state of child’s play in 2024.How do kids have fun? Inside the state of child’s play in 2024.
Family

Kids are still playing, but they need help.

By Anna North
The impact of the Supreme Court’s reversal of affirmative action, explained in one chartThe impact of the Supreme Court’s reversal of affirmative action, explained in one chart
Policy

Preliminary data shows a negative impact on Black enrollment at some universities.

By Nicole Narea
Republicans’ racist, cat-eating conspiracy theory, briefly explainedRepublicans’ racist, cat-eating conspiracy theory, briefly explained
2024 Elections

Apparently, when you are a Republican political candidate you can say literally anything.

By Ian Millhiser
An extremely practical guide to this year’s cold, flu, and Covid seasonAn extremely practical guide to this year’s cold, flu, and Covid season
Even Better

How to survive the coming onslaught of viral illnesses.

By Keren Landman, MD
Raising a shy kid? You can help them open up.
Even Better

It’s all about getting them comfortable with the unfamiliar.

By Allie Volpe
I can’t take care of all my mom’s needs. Am I a monster?
Future Perfect

Introducing Your Mileage May Vary, an unconventional new advice column.

By Sigal Samuel
iPad kids speak upiPad kids speak up
Life

Inside Gen Alpha’s relationship with tech.

By Anna North