female friendship

Welcome to the latest installment of Ms. Opinionated, in which readers have questions about the pesky day-to-day choices we all face, and I give advice about how to make ones that (hopefully) best reflect our shared commitment to feminist values—as well as advice on what to do when they don't.

Dear Ms. Opinionated: My best friend just broke up with me. She has been with a guy for 8 months now, but after their first date, I expressed concern that he was still married and had an toddler. I was clear that he may be a great guy but he was still married. Our friendship fell apart after that: she disappeared, and then reappeared in my life months later still upset because she said I didn't know him. She is acting like his child's mother but has yet to talk to him about marriage, finances, kids, etc. They are moving in together at the end of the month. Yesterday she broke up with me. I'm kind of devastated but I knew it was coming.

Welcome to the latest installment of Ms. Opinionated, in which readers have questions about the pesky day-to-day choices we all face, and I give advice about how to make ones that (hopefully) best reflect our shared commitment to feminist values—as well as advice on what to do when they don't. This time, what to do when a friend asks you to look into her boyfriend's past and then won't listen to what you find.

Welcome to the fifth installment of Ms. Opinionated, Bitch's advice column in which readers have questions about the pesky day-to-day choices we all face, and I give advice about how to make ones that (hopefully) best reflect our shared commitment to feminist values—as well as advice on what to do when they don't. This week, what to do about that friend who just keeps disappearing into the black hole of having a relationship.

Welcome back to "Ms. Opinionated," Bitch's new advice column, in which readers have questions about the pesky day-to-day choices we all face, and I give advice about how to makes ones that (hopefully) best reflect our shared commitment to feminist values—as well as advice on what to do when they don't.

Next up: How can a "shy, teetoaling, agnostic feminist" find new friends after realizing her regular circle's gotten smaller than she's comfortable with?

I have noticed that often such stories use sexual fluidity among young women to signify rebellion against hegemonic institutions. In stories ostensibly about conflict between women and their families and women and male lovers, hints of bisexuality are present as indications of the larger ways in which the women in question are opposing oppression.

BFFs Salma Hayek and Penélope Cruz saddle up and ride for Bandidas, a western buddy comedy.

Best Friends Forever is a Minneapolis-based band comprised of, you guessed it, best friends. Jessica Lee Seamans and Briana Jennifer Smith met when they were in fifth grade and have been playing in bands together for over a decade. They started out with a Smashing Pumpkins cover band, experimented with instrumental math rock, and then formed Best Friends Forever in 2003.

Stop the presses! Science has released a groundbreaking study! According to new research at the University of Michigan, bonding with friends makes women feel good.

Okay, so definitely not hot news, right? But what IS interesting is the way newspapers and websites reported on the study. The U of M researchers found that after emotional conversations, women release progestrone, a hormone that reduces stress.

But apparently mainstream press can only describe intense, personal conversation between women with one word: GOSSIP!

Check out the top ten most popular headlines via Google news about the study:
1. Women who gossip can live a happy and healthier life, study finds.
2. Gossiping is good for women's health
3. Gossip is good for women's health, scientists claim
4. Friendship is a mood uplift
5. Good health from a good gossip?
6. Gossiping Reduces Anxiety and Stress in Women - A Study
7. Gossipping can be healthy: Research
8. Now Women Have An Excuse
9. Idle chatter makes women healthier, happier.
10. A scientific take on female friendship.

Ouch, at 20 percent accuracy, 80 percent "Women are Gossiping Gossip Hounds" that's a failing score, headline writers.

I have yet another reality TV confession for you -- out of all the Real Housewives of New York City, I think I like Alex McCord the best. The vaguely superior-acting social climbery one with the crazy clingy husband (in the red pants in that picture)? With the nude photos? [NSFW] Yeah, her! I know, I can't believe it myself! But you know, I think I like her brand of Real Housewives feminism the best.