7 h. ago ‘An uphill battle’: why are midlife men struggling to make – and keep – friends?

Some call it a friendship recession: a time when close male friendships sink to their lowest. Here’s how friendships for straight men fall to the wayside – and what could bring them togetherAs a therapist, Jeremy Mohler spends his days guiding middle-aged men through feelings of loneliness. He encourages them to seek connections, yet the 39-year-old is the first to admit it: when you’re a guy, making real friends in midlife is difficult. “It feels like an uphill battle,” says Mohler, who lives in Baltimore.Some call it a friendship recession: a time in midlife when close male friendships sink to their lowest. According to data from the Survey Center on American Life, 15% of US men said they do not have close friends in 2021, compared with 3% in 1990. Those reporting 10 or more close friends decreased from 33% to 13% during the same period. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago How The Spice Girls have been plagued by infighting and scandal

While they may have sung that 'friendship never ends', the Spice Girls struggled to practise what they preached, famously falling out on several occasions.

Politics

1 week ago The Vivienne lay dead in bath for two days and was found with five empty ketamine bags by a neighbour after worried friends could not get hold of the star, inquest hears

Drag Race star The Vivienne was found dead in the bath by a neighbour after worried friends had struggled to race the star, an inquest heard today.  

Events

1 week ago I’m worried my autistic son is going to struggle socially in his new school

All children face difficulties in new schools – make sure he knows this, stick to the positives, and take the fact he’s already been invited to a party as a positive first stepMy son is starting secondary school in September. He is the only child from his primary transitioning to a selective grammar school. He has always struggled with friendships and I feel this is due to his autism. He is high-achieving academically. I don’t want him to change who he is or feel as if he can’t be himself. At the same time I know he can be standoffish and overwhelming when he is so focused on his own interests.He has just been invited to one of his new classmates’ birthday parties. He was shocked and grateful to be invited, and it was heartbreaking. I don’t want him to be isolated in his new school and I don’t know how to help him to be ready and open to a brand new social setting. I would really appreciate any help or advice you could give. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Four things we learned from the USMNT’s Gold Cup group stage

The United States struggled in friendlies but went on to win all three of its Gold Cup group games. On Sunday against Costa Rica, they face their biggest test yet.For as much as the Gold Cup gets denigrated, it’s a much tougher tournament than it might appear. The ongoing tournament is the 11th edition in the last two decades, and this year’s US are just the 10th team to make it through three group matches unscathed (Panama became the 11th on Tuesday).US manager Mauricio Pochettino has to be pleased with his team’s performance. After rough showings in the pre-tournament friendly matches, a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago was cathartic, while a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia and a 2-1 victory against Haiti also showed that the US are trying to make winning a habit as their manager has asked. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Childhood friend says Minnesota suspect had 'darkness inside of him'

A lifelong friend of the alleged Minnesota gunman says Vance Boelter had been struggling to find work and was wrestling with a “darkness that was inside of him” at the time of the shootings

Politics