humanity

For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.

But, He Loves Me, Right?
You hear stories about domestic abuse and how the women stay for so long and the question is always asked: why did you stay? If you’ve never been in an abusive relationship, this question makes sense. Why would anyone stay with someone who hurts them, who makes them feel worthless? Why continue to put yourself through that torture when you could just leave? But abuse is never that simple and women stay for all kinds of reasons.
By Emma Bisel9 years ago in Humans
And Then I Was Told, "You Are a Feminist"
Among the many misinterpretations about feminism that I’ve come across on social media and in person, this was yet another bizarre example. I live with a mixture of people, some very clear advocates of feminism, some feminists who do not feel the need to explicitly mention their stance and some who say they are feminists because it’s “cool.” Allow me to explain. The first kind is women who are vocal about the discrimination faced by women, who will raise an eyebrow at every stereotypical comment about girls, and who are very happy to debate about why the ideology of feminism is important. In the second category fall people who will joke about gender roles in a sarcastic tone, will believe in equal rights, but will explain this principle only when there’s an obvious misunderstanding about its nature. The third kind, the peculiar kind of people are those who advocate themselves as feminists but still want their future wife to be home before they return from work. They say they want a working wife because they find it attractive. The first two kinds have been trying to understand this logic for a few months now, but have failed. So, I’ll try to write it down instead.
By Tanvi Patel9 years ago in Humans
How the Mind of Maurice Bernier Works!
In this article, I decided that I need to do something different. I needed a subject that needed to be examined and thoroughly analyzed. I needed a subject that is so elusive that even the psychological FBI of the mental health world would have a tough time locating it. So, I decided that the subject that needed to be placed under the microscope today is...ME!
By Maurice Bernier9 years ago in Humans
Be a Citizen of the Earth
This is not an article about disapproval of religion; in fact, it is the opposite. I hope that one day in a world that is torn apart by cultural and religious differences, that we can all come together and save the planet that we are all so dependent on.
By Katelynd Vermeer9 years ago in Humans
How Being Successful Can Impact Your Love Life
As a relationship writer, I discuss how many things can affect your love life — your age, your waistline, your personality, and even your clothing style are all things I've touched upon in the past.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart9 years ago in Humans
I Come First
When growing up, you get taught to do things for others, make others happy, and not to do this and that because of what other people might say. I mean Albert Einstein says it himself: ''Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.'' It is good to do things for others and to make a positive impact on others and the world, but what about me?
By JAPPY .9 years ago in Humans
What is Coercive Control?
Your new relationship is great! He really seems to understand you, he wants to be with you all the time, when he isn’t with you he’s always texting, he wants to know all about your life, friends, family and life. He’s charming and loving, he gives you flowers all the time. The relationship moves really fast and you find yourself moving in with him.
By Clare Scanlan9 years ago in Humans
Stopping the Self-Enabling Cycle
In today's world, people tend to look at outside influences and not ourselves as reasons for failing at something or continuing to put ourselves in the same negative situations or bad relationships. Although it is not our fault when people do bad things to us, what is our fault is what we do or do not do to overcome what has happened. When we do little or nothing to help ourselves, in reality, we are continuing to have these problems dominate our lives.
By S P9 years ago in Humans
The Ultimate Superheroes!
I don't know about anyone else, when I was just barely older than the sandwich I ate two weeks ago, I started reading some comic books. I did not read that many, but I did have a small group of superheroes that I liked even to this day: Spiderman, Iron Man, Superman, the Incredible Hulk, Batman, and the Green Hornet. Whenever their shows or movies came on, I could not wait for the opening credits. I just enjoyed them. Even my nickname (Joker) invokes the memory of the Dark Knight, not the Mets pitcher Matt Harvey, but of Batman (a.k.a. the Caped Crusader) and Robin (a.k.a. the Boy Wonder).
By Maurice Bernier9 years ago in Humans
Museum of Toxic Masculinity
This weekend, I decided to adventure a little bit. What's the point in living in the greatest city (NYC) in the world if all I ever do is work. So I walked through Central Park, had my music on and enjoyed myself. Then I thought, what the hell, I should go to the Museum of Sex. Every time I've been there, it has been a treat-and-a-half. And what's better is that since I write erotic stories/books, I would be inspired, and I could write the trip off on my taxes at the end of the year. There is an exhibit they have going right now that is called "The Female Gaze." Since I had learned about the "Male Gaze" in Film class (Thanks, Prof. Kendall!), I was interested to see what they were going to do with it from a female's perspective. I learned that and a whole lot more.
By Edward Anderson9 years ago in Humans
A Mancrisis – the Crises in Manhood
The existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, in The Second Sex, described the situation of women as “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” In essence, ignoring the biological factors, de Beauvoir describes the idea of women and men as being a social construct that the individual takes upon themselves to give meaning to their existence. Previously, men were seen as the norm, whilst women were seen as abnormal. From this place of inequality, men were given a central roll in society and women were seen as an addition to men.
By Phillip Woodford9 years ago in Humans
A Christian Advocating LGBT+ Rights
I was never told that homosexuality was a sin. I have no recollection whatsoever of that ever being outright said to me, my parents are generally circumspect in voicing their beliefs and are very generous in addition to that. I certainly never witnessed them, or any of their friends, treating a member of the LGBT+ community any different than they would any other acquaintance. And yet aged 11, upon seeing two girls kiss in a shopping centre, I had a reaction of disgust sufficient that I ended up gagging into a bin. I had internalised, and I still cannot pinpoint the source, although it was probably an amalgamation of scriptural teaching, hushed conversations and society in general, that homosexuality was wrong and disgusting, and I could not understand it. Some of my friends, when I voiced this complete lack of ability to understand, said that was what characterised my heterosexuality: of course I couldn't understand how a boy could love a boy and vice versa, because I was straight; it should be repulsive. I know now that all of us were speaking from wilful ignorance and utter lack of awareness or empathy.
By Abi Hastings9 years ago in Humans