Sewell Setzer III, a ninth-grader from Orlando, Florida, had been using Character.AI, an app that allows users to interact with AI-generated personas.

The lawsuit claims that Sewell became obsessed with a chatbot named “Dany,” based on Daenerys Targaryen from the hit HBO series Game of Thrones.

Over several months, the boy allegedly developed an emotional connection with the AI character, engaging in numerous conversations, some of which turned sexually suggestive. The AI chatbot failed to recognize or respond appropriately to Sewell’s expressions of suicidal thoughts.

As a marriage and family therapist, I often hear clients say things like, “If only I had more money, I’d be happy,” or “If my job were less stressful, I could finally enjoy life.”

It’s a common belief that our happiness is determined by external circumstances like wealth, health, and career success.

But here’s the surprising truth: personality plays a much larger role in our long-term happiness than we might think.

In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that 80% of your lifetime happiness can be traced back to just three key personality traits: emotional stability, extraversion, and conscientiousness.

Becoming a parent can be one of the most transformative, challenging, and rewarding experiences in life.

But in a culture that often prioritizes personal fulfillment and individual success over family life, the idea of having children can seem daunting—sometimes even unappealing.

Enter the Bringing Baby Home program, created by relationship experts Drs. John and Julie Gottman, as a solution to help couples navigate the transition to parenthood without losing their connection—or their sanity.

This evidence-based program offers a modest antidote to what has been termed American Cultural Narcissism, and it may also have a role to play in addressing the growing reluctance to have children and declining birthrates around the world.

What is the Bringing Baby Home Program?

Parenting is a journey, and raising multicultural children adds depth and richness to the experience. For couples navigating international relationships, instilling a sense of cultural identity, spiritual grounding, and balance is essential.

This post explores the joys and challenges of raising multicultural children, with a special focus on the role of spirituality in fostering connection and resilience. Using social science research, we’ll dive into how parents can raise children who embrace both their cultural and spiritual heritage.

Parenting is always an adventure, but raising children in a multicultural or international relationship adds a unique layer of complexity—and reward.

Navigating different languages, traditions, and values can be challenging, but it can also create a richly textured family dynamic that celebrates diversity.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into the joys and challenges of raising multicultural kids, with insights backed by social science research. If you're in a multicultural family, this guide is for you.

The debate over when to introduce LGBTQ+ topics to children in school has gained significant traction in recent years, with some parents advocating for a delayed approach.

This preference is often grounded in the ideology of "sexuality blindfolding," which suggests that avoiding LGBTQ+ discussions at a young age can prevent bias and protect children from confusion.

However, the research on this topic presents a nuanced picture, with arguments both supporting and challenging the practice of delaying LGBTQ+ education.

By examining the core tenets of sexuality blindfolding and placing it in the broader context of developmental psychology, education policy, and social science research, we can gain a deeper understanding of this issue.

According to Gottman, children raised by emotion-coaching parents tend to exhibit higher levels of emotional intelligence, resilience, and social competence. These children are better equipped to manage stress, navigate social conflicts, and maintain healthier relationships.

Emotion coaching allows children to recognize and label their emotions without shame, giving them tools to process challenging experiences (Gottman & DeClaire, 1997).

For instance, during a tantrum, an emotion-coaching parent might say, “I see that you’re upset because you can’t have the toy right now. It’s okay to feel frustrated.”

This approach acknowledges the child's feelings while simultaneously guiding them toward understanding and regulating their emotional response. Over time, these children learn to calm themselves down, articulate their emotions, and work through challenges with greater self-awareness.

Family dynamics are the invisible threads that weave together the emotional fabric of a child's life.

These dynamics—how a family communicates, resolves conflict, and nurtures emotional bonds—play a crucial role in shaping a child's emotional development.

Let's explore how these patterns influence a child's emotional resilience, identity formation, and behavioral patterns, drawing from social science research to offer practical, actionable insights.

Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt is a renowned psychologist and researcher whose work has significantly shaped how we understand bullying, aggression, and mental health in child development.

Her research, grounded in both evolutionary and social psychology, highlights the deep emotional and psychological impacts bullying has on children and adolescents.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone passionate about children's well-being, understanding Dr. Vaillancourt’s work can provide valuable insights into creating a kinder, more inclusive environment for all kids.

Amy Wax’s ideas on family structure, middle-class values, and the intersection of race and class offer a strong critique of what she sees as the erosion of traditional values in American society.

Amy Wax is a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania known for her strong and often controversial opinions on topics like race, immigration, and culture.

She has sparked lively debates with her arguments about the importance of certain cultural values, but her views have also drawn criticism, with some accusing her of promoting divisive ideas.

Despite the controversy, she remains an active participant in public discussions, engaging in conversations that touch on complex and sensitive issues.

While her views spark much debate, it’s important to engage thoughtfully with her arguments and explore the broader research that has contributed to this conversation.

For some families, the idea of what it means to “take care of the family” is undergoing a significant transformation, especially in upper-class circles.

With the demands of high-profile careers, managing wealth, and maintaining social capital, many couples are turning to a model of family life where professional outsourcing plays a central role.

Whether it’s hiring nannies, private tutors, elder care providers, or household managers, the outsourcing of family care allows upper-class families to pursue their ambitions while ensuring their loved ones receive the best possible care and attention.

The American family has changed significantly in recent decades, and this evolution has sparked an intense debate.

While some view these changes—like cohabitation, single-parent households, and delayed marriage—as signs of progress, others argue that they reflect a deeper societal issue.

Thought leaders from various fields have expressed concern, suggesting that these trends might signal a decline in the shared values that hold society together.

However, this conversation isn’t always driven by religious or moral dogma; many of these critiques come from sociologists, economists, and political theorists who argue that the decline of traditional family structures could lead to long-term societal challenges.