Relationships with significant age gaps are becoming more and more popular and are seen often in media. There are countless movies that portray age hypogamy, or vice versa. For example, Anne Hathaway's recent film "The Idea of You" featured a millennial woman getting into a relationship with a younger Gen Z man. The film's subplot shows the couple's challenges navigating the relationship with their age gap. On the other hand, films such as "Pretty Woman" shows Richard Gere, an older man, going for younger woman Julia Roberts.

Many people wonder what the appeal is to dating someone significantly younger or older than them. According to StudyFinds, older women enjoy dating younger men because they make them feel secure in their relationship. One 28-year-old woman said, "Women my age seem to be excited by the freshness and lack of bitterness that comes with dating someone younger. Younger men seem more open and less burdened by insecurities." On the other hand, younger men enjoy dating older women because they take the relationship more seriously. "I often find women are much more evolved when it comes to relationships and emotional depth and actually expressing feelings. The age difference on top of that means I take a relationship more seriously and grow [more]."

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“Our study shows strong links between losing loved ones across the life course from childhood to adulthood and faster biological aging in the U.S.,” says lead author Dr. Allison Aiello, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, in a statement. The study found important information that is useful for health professionals in the future and gives a better understanding of how life experiences impact our long-term well-being. Nearly 40 percent of adults who were surveyed had experienced at least one significant loss by the time they were in their early 40s. This highlights just how common losing a loved one is and points out the need for a strong support system for those who are dealing with grief. “We still don’t fully understand how loss leads to poor health and higher mortality, but biological aging may be one mechanism as suggested in our study,” notes Dr. Aiello. “Future research should focus on finding ways to reduce disproportionate losses among vulnerable groups. For those who experience loss, providing resources for coping and addressing the trauma is essential.”

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Rumer Willis welcomed baby Louetta on April 18th with boyfriend, Derek Richard Thomas. Earlier this year, Rumer opened up in an interview with People about her pregnancy and how excited her entire family was. "My parents are so excited. My sisters are so excited, and it's so fun to be bringing in the first grandkid in our family, especially because we're such a huge group at this point," Willis told People. The 34-year-old actress also mentioned that her parents had already begun giving lots of parenting advice, saying their best tip so far is, "You have no control over anything, and just have a lot of grace with yourself."

In 2022, Bruce Willis announced that he would be stepping away from Hollywood after being diagnosed with aphasia that later progressed to frontotemporal dementia. His family, which includes his wife, Emma whom he married in 2009, their two young daughters as well as Demi Moore, his ex-wife whom he was married to from 1987 to 2000 and have remained close throughout the years, and their three adult daughters, continue to share updates on his health as he battles dementia. In March, Bruce celebrated his 69th birthday surrounded by his family, who made sweet tributes to him on social media. His wife Emma took to Instagram to wish him a happy birthday saying, "What you might not know, but maybe you could imagine, that being wrapped in his arms is the safest place in this whole wide world. He’s a true gentle-man. With so much love to give and share. That’s what I get to see, his true core. I can tell you, it’s so pure and ever so good. Happy Birthday my love. You are the gift that keeps giving."

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According to the Department of Medical Examiner's Office, Knight died at a private residence, but no cause of death has been determined. Before Knight's death was announced, Slash announced that his S.E.R.P.E.N.T tour had to cancel some performances this week in Ohio and Michigan "due to unforeseen circumstances." "We love our fans and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused," he wrote, noting refunds were available for the canceled dates, and the tour would resume July 28 in Toronto. Slash is in a relationship with Knight’s mom, Meegan Hodges. According to Rolling Stone, the couple first got together in 1989, but parted ways before rekindling their romance in 2015.

An Instagram account appearing to belong to Knight shared a cryptic final post a few hours after Slash’s note was shared. "Whether I made you feel excluded, manipulated/ controlled you, told you to quit your day job from the comfort of being financially supported by my parents, or drowned real issues in toxic positivity-I am sorry," the caption reads, accompanied by a photo of Knight. "Countless missed opportunities and connections due to a disgustingly big ego, insecure heart and fear of being vulnerable. May my soul learn to evolve from my poor job at being Lucy-Bleu. Peace" Hodges left a comment that read, "MY BABY GIRL! I LOVE YOU WITH EVERYTHING. I’M SO SORRY."

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This new norm is leaving parents frazzled. Paying for college is one thing, but continuing to financially support their adult children when they have full-time jobs is another. Some parents argue that they would rather their children remain living with them and knowing that they are safe and taken care of as opposed to them fully supporting themselves. However, with a difficult job market, student loans and inflation, Gen Z faces significant financial hurdles. Over the past 20 years, the average student debt has more than doubled, averaging just over $37,000 per person. "More and more young people are seeking higher education," Monica Kirkpatrick Johnson, a professor of sociology at Washington State University, said. "They're staying in school longer, and while they're doing that, they are delaying their earning capacity." Housing prices have also skyrocketed in recent years, According to Zillow, people need 80 percent more income to comfortable afford to buy a home as compared to four years ago.

While dealing with their financial hurdles, Gen Z are opting to live with their parents for much longer than other generations. According to research, the number of 25 to 34 year-olds living with their parents in the US has climbed by 87 percent over the past two decades. Milestones such as getting married and starting a family are happening later and later for Gen Z. Teresa Bailey, a senior wealth strategist at Waddell & Associates argues that Gen X parents are among the earliest to demonstrate an openness to providing such financial support. "This generation of parents went through 2008, 2009, 2010 as relatively young adults, and they really experienced financial hardship," she said. "They are in many ways the product of that mindset and want things to be different for their children."

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According to Cali Estes, a clinical psychologist based in Miami who specializes in treating addictive behaviors, she has seen an influx in stealth shopping in recent years, seemingly fueled by influencers. “When you see someone online pushing something, you feel more pressure to buy it—even if you can’t afford it,” Estes said. She shared that one of her patients cut the tags off her new clothes and washed them before wearing it to make them seem old. Another patient hid her new Christian Louboutin shoes in her son's toy box and was outed when he pranced around the house in the stilettos.

With inflation continuing to rise, stealth shopping is exacerbating the problem for couples on a tight budget. Estes advises couples to set aside an amount in their monthly spending budget that doesn't require permission from their partner. “This way, you can buy what you want, as long as you stay within the preset limit,” she said. When a person lies to their partner about their spending habits, it leads the partner to have mistrust throughout the relationship. “Your partner will say, ‘If you lie about buying shoes, what else are you lying about?’” Estes said.

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The growth of this movement comes after studies have continued to show the negative effects of smartphones and social media use in children. According to Ofcom, by the age of 12, 97 percent of children in the U.K. have a smartphone. Meanwhile in the U.S., 42 percent of children had a smartphone by the age of 10, climbing to 91 percent by the age of 14, according to a 2021 report by Common Sense.

According to a study by Sapien Labs that was published last year, young people reported worse mental health outcomes the earlier they acquired a smartphone. The study used data from 27,969 18–24-year-olds which was obtained between January and April 2023 across 41 countries including North America, Europe, Latin America, Oceana, South Asia, and Africa. Seventy-four percent of female respondents that got their first smartphone at age six reported feeling distressed, while that number decreased to 52 percent for those who got their first smartphone at age 15. These findings have prompted parents across the world to take action. “The mass migration into a phone-based childhood has been really harmful to young people,” said Zach Rausch, a research scientist at New York University Stern School of Business and lead researcher for Jonathon Haidt’s number one New York Times bestseller “The Anxious Generation.” “The research has been building and the evidence of harm has become stronger and stronger year after year,” he added. “The lid has been taken off of the box and parents see that other parents are speaking up about this so we’re seeing this wave of parents coming together.”

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These comments come days after King Charles' former royal butler Grant Harrold spoke with the New York Post, saying there was one thing the Duke of Sussex could do to be welcomed back into the family. "The only way I see this happening is a public statement from Harry, where you come out and say that you were in a bad space and that [his memoir ‘Spare’] was a mistake," said Harrold. "I don’t think that’s going to happen," he noted. "Some bad things were said, and some families never patch things up, and that’s how it is… Harry has got a big heart, and a part of him probably wishes things would be different."

Fordwich claimed that the king may be willing to spark peace talks with his younger son, but William wouldn't be as easily convinced. "Prince William is the most unlikely royal to ever forgive Harry for all his despicable indiscretions," Fordwich claimed. "He is now very much seen and accepted as the family enforcer, taking on the hard-line ruler role of his grandfather, Prince Philip."

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For Levi's birthday last year, McConaughey and his wife, Camila Alves, granted their son permission to join social media. At the time, McConaughey shared that he and his wife were nervous about the "gift," but it had been something they discussed for three years. "All his friends have had it for a long time," Alves said. "We’ve been holding up." McConaughey said, "He knows who he is, and he knows where he’s going. I think he can handle it. He’s got a great story to tell and share. I want to let all y’all know, you’re getting a very cool and respectful young man in Levi McConaughey, coming at ya, and I hope y’all can do your best to treat him the same way. Levi, enjoy the adventure, enjoy sharing your story, expressing yourself and what you put out there and the exchange you get with people out there."

In addition to Levi, McConaughey and Alves share daughter Vida, 14 and son Livington, 11.

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Born in Germany in 1928, Ruth Westheimer faced immense challenges early in life, having been sent to Switzerland during the Holocaust to escape Nazi persecution. This early experience of displacement and loss shaped her understanding of the human condition, fostering a deep empathy that would later define her career. Dr. Ruth's journey to becoming America's most recognizable sex therapist began later in life, after she earned her degrees in psychology and human sexuality. Her rise to fame came in the 1980s with her radio show, "Sexually Speaking," where she fearlessly tackled taboo topics with a candid and compassionate demeanor. Listeners were drawn not only to her expertise but also to her warmth and non-judgmental attitude, which made discussing intimate matters feel safe and accessible.

Beyond the airwaves, Dr. Ruth authored numerous books, delivered lectures, and made countless media appearances, always advocating for open communication and education about sexuality. Her diminutive stature and thick accent became iconic, synonymous with her message of empowerment through knowledge and understanding. Dr. Ruth's impact extended beyond her media persona. She played a crucial role in promoting safe sex practices during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, emphasizing the importance of education and responsibility. Her efforts were instrumental in breaking down stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS and encouraging frank discussions about sexual health.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ruth remained a steadfast advocate for sexual rights and reproductive health, championing causes that often faced resistance or misunderstanding. Her work earned her widespread recognition, including honors such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highlighting the profound influence she had on public discourse around sexuality. As tributes pour in from colleagues, fans, and those whose lives she touched, it's clear that Dr. Ruth's legacy will endure far beyond her passing. Her commitment to empowering individuals through knowledge and her unwavering belief in the importance of healthy relationships have left an indelible mark on society. She leaves behind a world more open and informed about sexual health and intimacy—a world shaped by her courage, compassion, and unyielding dedication. In honoring Dr. Ruth Westheimer, we not only celebrate her remarkable achievements but also reaffirm the values she embodied: respect, understanding, and the belief that informed conversations can transform lives. As we mourn her loss, we also cherish the legacy of a woman who dared to speak when others remained silent, forever changing how we think about love, sex, and the human experience.

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