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Yahoo
07-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Scorpio Daily Horoscope Yahoo Life Astrology: July 06, 2025
Don't worry too much about how abstract principles are affecting the nuts and bolts of your life. You need to just go along with it all and make sure that you're more or less where you want to be. Find out how you and your partner rate with the ultimate compatibility report, your Love Score.
The Guardian
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Is ‘princess treatment' a harmless trend – or yet more fuel for misogyny?
Do you wish you were a princess? Do you crave being cosseted and showered with gifts, having every door opened and every chair pulled out? Perhaps you'd rather not pay for your clothes; maybe you're sick of deciding what to eat and where. Courtney Palmer can help. The self-proclaimed housewife princess has a series of TikTok videos on 'princess treatment' and how to get it. It's a matter of accepting compliments graciously, dressing the part, being unapologetically good to yourself (disappointingly, this seems to mean exercising and drinking water) but mostly ministering to your partner, who is treated as a weirdly needy and highly suggestible man-baby. Would-be princesses should create a calm, frictionless domestic paradise for their provider prince, 'speaking in a feminine way – we're not screaming, yelling; we're not cursing', thanking him for picking up his dirty underwear. Princess treatment is the reward and it comes in the form of diamond earrings, Chanel flats, flowers and old-school chivalry. It's emetic and, in a recent TikTok that catapulted Palmer into a more critical spotlight, disturbing. Explaining what princess treatment looks like at a restaurant, Palmer said: 'I do not interact with the waitress; I do not open any doors and I do not order my own food … You do not need to talk unless you are spoken to … You're not going to be laughing loudly, speaking loudly, demanding the attention of the restaurant.' Yikes. Palmer called it 'letting your husband lead and be masculine' and 'a fun princess treatment thing'. Commenters found it cult-like, concerning and bizarre. 'As a former waitress, I would have slipped you a note and asked if you're OK or if I should call the police,' one said. I do wonder how real any of this is. Does 'princess treatment' exist beyond its social-media shop window? Tradwives aren't tradwives, after all – they are content creators, and winding people up with jaw-droppingly regressive gender messaging generates revenue: outrage drives eyeballs and eyeballs mean dollars. Nara Smith, famed for wearing OTT dresses while making her own bubblegum and breakfast cereal, was recently reported by Cosmopolitan to be earning an estimated $200,000 a month on TikTok. Most relationships are nothing like what Palmer presents, or like other pearly-toothed, wholesome TikTok couples who jokily quiz each other on what constitutes princess treatment or a relationship 'bare minimum'. My own husband occasionally gives me 'goose treatment' – a careful wide berth – but our marriage is not a transactional game. Couples of all varieties mostly muddle through, trying to be decent to each other. But Palmer et al are servicing a real aspiration, or at least a relatable fantasy. I get it, kind of – it would be nice if every day were like my birthday (but not nice enough to spend my life cooking and cleaning while wearing broderie anglaise to achieve it). And I suppose that in a time of global turmoil, having a 'provider' can feel like security. But it's the opposite: relinquishing autonomy – bodily, financial, intellectual – leaves women dangerously vulnerable. And this stuff isn't anodyne: it confirms the manosphere's misogynistic assumptions about 'alphas' and 'high-value females', and empowers rollers-back of reproductive rights, reinforcing the idea that it's OK to take decisions on women's behalf (they don't even want to order a side of fries for themselves!). The 'princess' label is pretty accurate. Historically, princesses provided beauty and babies, and were largely powerless; royal marriages were transactional arrangements. And as Hilary Mantel was unfairly criticised for writing about the then-Duchess of Cambridge, princess life is still stultifying, mostly about projecting irreproachable, mute perfection. There's definitely no 'cursing'. Maybe some women enjoy imagining a life of calm, cared-for passivity – but could content at least get more creative? How about 'goddess treatment': demand offerings and sacrifices, keep people on their toes with the prospect of being turned into something nasty? If that's not passive enough, how about 'pet treatment'? Imagine being treated like a house cat: loved unconditionally and lavished with gifts for nothing more than napping, shedding hair, eating, demanding strokes and occasionally lashing out for no reason. If a TikToker could tell me how to get 'cat treatment', I'd definitely like and follow. Emma Beddington is a Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
The Guardian
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Is ‘princess treatment' a harmless trend – or yet more fuel for misogyny?
Do you wish you were a princess? Do you crave being cosseted and showered with gifts, having every door opened and every chair pulled out? Perhaps you'd rather not pay for your clothes; maybe you're sick of deciding what to eat and where. Courtney Palmer can help. The self-proclaimed housewife princess has a series of TikTok videos on 'princess treatment' and how to get it. It's a matter of accepting compliments graciously, dressing the part, being unapologetically good to yourself (disappointingly, this seems to mean exercising and drinking water) but mostly ministering to your partner, who is treated as a weirdly needy and highly suggestible man-baby. Would-be princesses should create a calm, frictionless domestic paradise for their provider prince, 'speaking in a feminine way – we're not screaming, yelling; we're not cursing', thanking him for picking up his dirty underwear. Princess treatment is the reward and it comes in the form of diamond earrings, Chanel flats, flowers and old-school chivalry. It's emetic and, in a recent TikTok that catapulted Palmer into a more critical spotlight, disturbing. Explaining what princess treatment looks like at a restaurant, Palmer said: 'I do not interact with the waitress; I do not open any doors and I do not order my own food … You do not need to talk unless you are spoken to … You're not going to be laughing loudly, speaking loudly, demanding the attention of the restaurant.' Yikes. Palmer called it 'letting your husband lead and be masculine' and 'a fun princess treatment thing'. Commenters found it cult-like, concerning and bizarre. 'As a former waitress, I would have slipped you a note and asked if you're OK or if I should call the police,' one said. I do wonder how real any of this is. Does 'princess treatment' exist beyond its social-media shop window? Tradwives aren't tradwives, after all – they are content creators, and winding people up with jaw-droppingly regressive gender messaging generates revenue: outrage drives eyeballs and eyeballs mean dollars. Nara Smith, famed for wearing OTT dresses while making her own bubblegum and breakfast cereal, was recently reported by Cosmopolitan to be earning an estimated $200,000 a month on TikTok. Most relationships are nothing like what Palmer presents, or like other pearly-toothed, wholesome TikTok couples who jokily quiz each other on what constitutes princess treatment or a relationship 'bare minimum'. My own husband occasionally gives me 'goose treatment' – a careful wide berth – but our marriage is not a transactional game. Couples of all varieties mostly muddle through, trying to be decent to each other. But Palmer et al are servicing a real aspiration, or at least a relatable fantasy. I get it, kind of – it would be nice if every day were like my birthday (but not nice enough to spend my life cooking and cleaning while wearing broderie anglaise to achieve it). And I suppose that in a time of global turmoil, having a 'provider' can feel like security. But it's the opposite: relinquishing autonomy – bodily, financial, intellectual – leaves women dangerously vulnerable. And this stuff isn't anodyne: it confirms the manosphere's misogynistic assumptions about 'alphas' and 'high-value females', and empowers rollers-back of reproductive rights, reinforcing the idea that it's OK to take decisions on women's behalf (they don't even want to order a side of fries for themselves!). The 'princess' label is pretty accurate. Historically, princesses provided beauty and babies, and were largely powerless; royal marriages were transactional arrangements. And as Hilary Mantel was unfairly criticised for writing about the then-Duchess of Cambridge, princess life is still stultifying, mostly about projecting irreproachable, mute perfection. There's definitely no 'cursing'. Maybe some women enjoy imagining a life of calm, cared-for passivity – but could content at least get more creative? How about 'goddess treatment': demand offerings and sacrifices, keep people on their toes with the prospect of being turned into something nasty? If that's not passive enough, how about 'pet treatment'? Imagine being treated like a house cat: loved unconditionally and lavished with gifts for nothing more than napping, shedding hair, eating, demanding strokes and occasionally lashing out for no reason. If a TikToker could tell me how to get 'cat treatment', I'd definitely like and follow. Emma Beddington is a Guardian columnist
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Even Loving Husbands Accidentally Hurt Their Marriages In These Ways
In marriage, even the most well-intentioned husbands can find themselves stepping on their partner's toes. It's not always about grand mistakes but rather the accumulation of small missteps that can fray the fabric of a relationship. At times, these actions are as subtle as a whisper, other times as glaring as a neon sign. Here are 15 ways loving husbands might unknowingly nudge their marriages toward rocky terrain, and how to find your way back to solid ground. It's a comforting myth that once you've exchanged vows, love will perpetually sustain itself. But relationships demand more than declarations of love; they crave consistent affirmations through actions. Assuming your partner knows how you feel without reminders can lead to emotional gaps. Love languages are diverse, and neglecting them means missing out on opportunities to connect. Dr. Gary Chapman, in his seminal work "The 5 Love Languages," emphasizes that understanding your spouse's unique language of love—be it words of affirmation, acts of service, or quality time—is crucial. Overlooking this can make your partner feel taken for granted, no matter how often you say "I love you." Even the sweetest words lose their flavor if they're not backed by meaningful actions. Real love is as much about what you do as what you say. In marriage, silence doesn't always equate to golden support. While you may believe that quietly standing by your partner's side shows solidarity, unspoken words can sometimes feel like a void. Your partner might interpret your quietness as indifference or disengagement, which can be isolating. Active communication is key; your spouse needs to hear your voice as well as feel your presence. Make it a point to vocalize your support. Conversations, however brief, act like bridges over turbulent waters, allowing for mutual understanding and reassurance. A simple, 'I'm proud of you,' can be more powerful than a thousand moments of silent observation. Your words can be a lifeboat in the sea of daily challenges, offering comfort and connection. The dynamics of household responsibilities have evolved, yet many still fall prey to traditional roles without reconsidering their relevance. Assuming that your partner will always handle certain chores can create unspoken resentments. This can be especially true when these tasks are undervalued or unnoticed. Sharing the load is not just about fairness; it's about respect and mutual support. A study by the Pew Research Center shows that couples who equally share household duties report higher relationship satisfaction. This isn't just about sweeping floors or doing dishes—it's about respecting each other's time and efforts. Don't let outdated stereotypes dictate your partnership; redefine roles in a way that honors both partners' contributions. A balanced division of labor can be a powerful statement of partnership and equality. In marriage, grand gestures often steal the spotlight, but it's the small, everyday kindnesses that truly sustain a relationship. Overlooking these can lead to a slow erosion of appreciation and warmth. A morning coffee, a handwritten note, or a random hug can be the thread that weaves intimacy into the fabric of your daily life. These tiny acts can speak volumes when words seem inadequate. Don't underestimate the impact of small, consistent gestures. They serve as gentle reminders of your affection and attentiveness, reinforcing the bond between you and your partner. Every day life can be mundane and repetitive, but these moments of thoughtfulness add sparkle to the routine. They're a love letter written in actions, not just words, subtly maintaining the connection you hold dear. In the hustle of life, date night can feel like a luxury rather than a necessity. However, neglecting this ritual can slowly erode the intimacy and fun that form the cornerstone of your relationship. Over time, the lack of dedicated couple time can create an unintentional emotional distance. It's not just about escaping the daily grind but about recharging your emotional batteries together. Professor Terri Orbuch, a psychologist and research professor at the University of Michigan, highlights in her studies that couples who regularly set aside time for each other tend to experience more fulfilling relationships. Date night is not just an outing; it's an investment in your partnership. It allows you to reconnect, laugh, and remember why you chose each other in the first place. Don't let this simple yet powerful tradition fall by the wayside. Marriage is often seen as a partnership where two become one, but individuality remains crucial. Neglecting personal growth can lead to stagnation, impacting both partners. It's easy to become complacent, assuming that togetherness means your growth is intertwined. But personal development and pursuing individual interests breathe new life into the relationship. Encourage each other to pursue passions and hobbies. Sharing new experiences individually can bring fresh perspectives and excitement into the marriage. It's about the balance of being an individual while being part of a couple. This personal growth enriches your relationship, bringing depth and dimension to your shared life. Every relationship needs a healthy balance between togetherness and individuality. Misunderstanding the need for personal space can lead to feelings of suffocation or alienation. Clinging too tightly can be as damaging as keeping too much distance. The key is finding a rhythm that respects each partner's need for autonomy while nurturing the bond. Psychologists like Dr. Harriet Lerner emphasize that space in a relationship is vital for emotional health. It allows partners to recharge and brings new energy and perspectives into the marriage. Space doesn't mean a lack of love; it's a nurturing ground for self-reflection and growth. Trust that giving each other room to breathe will ultimately draw you closer. Communication is often reduced to speaking, but active listening is a powerful, often neglected, component. Forgetting to truly listen can make your partner feel unheard and undervalued. It's not just about waiting for your turn to speak; it's about being fully present and engaged in the conversation. Listening actively shows respect and a genuine interest in your partner's thoughts and feelings. Discover the art of listening by asking questions and reflecting on what you hear. Show empathy and understanding, even if you disagree. Active listening can transform misunderstandings into opportunities for deeper connection. It's a skill that, once mastered, can dramatically enhance your relationship's emotional intimacy. The presence of technology in our lives is undeniable, but letting it invade your bedroom is a mistake that can undermine intimacy. Scrolling through your phone may seem harmless, but it can create an invisible barrier between you and your partner. The moments before sleep are precious for connection, and technology can rob you of these intimate exchanges. It's about prioritizing your partner over the constant buzz of notifications. Create a tech-free bedtime routine to foster connection and communication. Engage in conversation, share your thoughts, and end the day with a shared sense of closeness. A simple commitment to being present can transform your nightly routine. Let your bedroom be a sanctuary for your relationship, free from digital distractions. Conflict avoidance is a common instinct, but avoiding issues instead of addressing them can lead to bigger problems down the line. Every unresolved conflict is like a stone in your shoe—uncomfortable and potentially damaging if ignored. It's vital to engage with each other constructively and with respect. Addressing conflicts can bring clarity and strengthen your relationship. Learn to see conflict as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat. Approach disagreements with an open heart and mind, seeking resolution rather than victory. It's about creating a safe space for honest dialogue where both partners feel heard. Healthy conflict resolution is a testament to the strength and resilience of your marriage. Stress, though often seen as a personal burden, can have a profound impact on your marriage. Underestimating its influence can lead to miscommunications and emotional distance. Personal stress can seep into your relationship, affecting how you interact with your partner. Recognizing and addressing stress is crucial to maintaining a healthy emotional connection. Communicate openly about stressors and find ways to support each other through challenging times. Collaborate on solutions and offer empathy, not advice, unless specifically asked. Understanding that stress is a shared challenge rather than an individual burden can fortify your partnership. Your combined strength can transform stress into an opportunity for deepened connection. Forgetting important dates like anniversaries or birthdays might seem trivial, but it can deeply wound your partner's feelings. Relying on memory alone is risky, and the oversight can be interpreted as a lack of care. Celebrations mark milestones and are opportunities to reaffirm your commitment and love. Avoid the unnecessary hurt by planning ahead and marking these dates on your calendar. Spontaneous gestures and planned celebrations can both hold significant meaning. Acknowledging these special moments shows your partner they're valued and cherished. Don't let memory lapses erode trust and appreciation. Make a conscious effort to celebrate your shared journey, reinforcing the bond that brought you together. Physical touch is a powerful form of communication, yet it's often overlooked in long-term relationships. Ignoring its importance can create a sense of emotional distance. Simple gestures like holding hands or a gentle caress can convey affection, support, and reassurance. Touch is an unspoken language that can deepen intimacy and connection. Make an effort to incorporate more physical affection into your daily routine. It's not just for moments of celebration or intimacy but for everyday exchanges. A simple touch can melt away stress and reinforce your emotional bond. Let your partner feel your presence not just with words but through the warmth of your touch. Gratitude is a cornerstone of any thriving relationship, yet it often falls by the wayside in the hustle of daily life. Neglecting to express gratitude can lead to feelings of being taken for granted. A simple 'thank you' for the little things can reinforce your appreciation and love. It's a practice that can transform routine activities into moments of connection. Take time each day to acknowledge and appreciate your partner's efforts. Whether it's for making breakfast or simply being there, gratitude can strengthen your bond. It shifts your focus from what's lacking to what's abundant in your relationship. A grateful heart fosters mutual respect and a deeper emotional connection. In the comfort of long-term relationships, it's easy to assume your partner knows your needs without being told. However, this assumption can lead to frustration and unmet expectations. Communication is key; expressing your needs clearly and openly is vital. Don't expect your partner to be a mind reader, as unspoken needs can create unnecessary friction. Practice constructively articulating your desires and preferences. Encourage your partner to do the same, creating a dialogue of understanding and empathy. It's about building a foundation of transparency where both partners feel valued and heard. Clear communication of needs strengthens the trust and connection that sustains your marriage.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
2 ‘Marriage Myths' That Keep You Unhappy — According To A Psychologist
These two myths may be dreamy, but they're bound to set you up for a disappointing marriage. Here's ... More why unlearning them is ultimately in your best interest. As a psychologist, I've seen time and again how certain romantic myths, no matter how dreamy or well-intentioned they seem, set couples up for disappointment. Indeed, marriage can be a beautiful thing. But this beauty is earned over years of hard work; it's never something that's freely promised. Unfortunately, many couples don't realize they've internalized these false promises about love until something just feels 'off.' A chronic sense of resentment. Repeated miscommunications. Arguments that seem to come out of nowhere. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether love is supposed to feel like this, you wouldn't be the first to ask. In all likelihood, your idea of marriage might just be at odds with one of the two following myths. We've been sold a very pretty, idealistic idea of what marriage is supposed to look like. Psychological researcher C. Raymond Knee and his colleagues note a few in a 2003 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Review: Unfortunately, these notions, known as 'destiny beliefs,' are as misleading as they are romantic. They paint an incredibly unrealistic portrait of what a marriage (or any relationship, really) is supposed to look like. Knee's further research in 2022 confirms this: people who maintain destiny beliefs are likely to struggle with denial, disengage from their partner altogether and might even stop making effort to look after their relationship. These behaviors may become especially apparent when, inevitably, couples start facing challenges or realize they have differences. But, realistically, love and marriage aren't matters of 'chemistry' or 'destiny;' these ideas serve as an incredibly fragile foundation. If couples face even one, small bump in the road, the whole partnership might feel as though it's doomed. This is because the moment partners place the livelihood of their relationship in the hands of fate, is the moment they stop believing that they can do something — anything — to improve their relationship. However, if this were the case, messy divorces and breakups wouldn't be as common as they are. 'Incompatible' couples could simply end things within a few weeks once they realized that they weren't 'meant to be.' The reality of marriage isn't that what you see is what you get. Rather, what you put in is what you get out. If you're not seeing the beauty in your marriage that you expected you would, trust that there will always be something you can do about it — effort to put in, conversations to be had, changes to be made. Not long ago, people looked to their spouse for companionship and stability. But these days, people are starting to view their spouse as someone who should complete them: their therapist, emotional support system, cheerleader, sexual match, co-parent and spiritual guide all-in-one. The irony, however, is that the couples who expect the most from their marriage in this way are often the ones investing the least into it. In a 2014 study published in Psychological Inquiry, psychologist Eli J. Finkel and colleagues bluntly call this the 'suffocation model' of marriage in America. The researchers explain this model by means of a metaphor: 'climbing Mount Maslow without enough oxygen.' They refer here to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a well-known psychological theory that organizes human needs into a pyramid. At the base of the pyramid (or, rather, the 'mountain') are our most fundamental needs, like physical safety, stability, emotional security and so on. Once those basic needs are reliably met, we then can move up toward the more complex goals — like building confidence, gaining respect or feeling accomplished. Importantly, only once all the base layers have been reached can we ultimately reach the very top of the mountain (self-actualization) and become our best, utmost fulfilled selves. Simply put, the researchers argue that many modern couples are trying to skip straight to the top. They want their marriage to be a space of inspiration, empowerment and profound life-meaning — but they also aren't taking care of the emotional basics that make these divine achievements possible. The metaphor is incredibly apt in this sense: it's much like trying to summit a mountain without packing the oxygen and supplies you'll need to survive the actual climb itself. Eventually, you're guaranteed to run out of air. In other words, when we expect our partner to meet all of our needs — to be our rock, our muse, our motivation, our mirror — without consistently investing in the relationship itself, we end up suffocating the connection we're trying so hard to rely on. This is the heart of the problem: no partner on earth could ever fulfill another's needs in this way. In reality, this is something we as individuals need to worry about, not our partner. If we demand one person to be our everything, we consequently lose any and all sense of autonomy in our happiness and well-being. Importantly, accepting that your partner cannot complete you isn't a failure. The healthiest marriages are characterized by interdependence: two whole people supporting each other to the top of the mountain, without losing their individuality and agency along the way. This means you can be madly in love with your spouse and still need (and enjoy) your personal space. You can be loyal and committed without needing to share every single one of your hobbies or emotions with your spouse. You can have a healthy marriage without relying on your spouse in your every waking moment. In fact, giving each other these freedoms should be the bare minimum in a marriage. It's not unromantic to be full, independent people. If you aren't, then you might be staking your entire sense of self in a marriage that, no matter how strong, was never built to carry the full weight of who you are. These are just two of many common marital myths. How many of them have you been misled to believe? Take this science-backed test to find out: Belief In Marital Myths Scale
