What does it mean for a divorced man to be “the most divorced”? What are we to make of the emergence of “divorcemoons” — getaways where people celebrate the end of their troubled marriage? And what of the rise of “gray divorce,” the dissolution of marriage after the age of 50?
Welcome to the Divorce Issue of The Highlight!
Sandi Falconer for Vox
Elbert Ventura was executive editor at Vox. Prior to Vox, he was an editor at the Chronicle of Higher Education and managing editor of Democracy: A Journal of Ideas.
These are some of the questions our writers tackle in The Highlight’s October issue, our exploration of divorce and, specifically, its impact on our culture.
The numbers are actually moderately encouraging: After peaking in the 1980s, divorce in the US has fallen steadily (though, it should be noted, so have marriage rates). And yet, divorce feels somehow more ingrained in our culture, spawning memes, giving rise to new industries, and adding to our shared lexicon.
Our writers come at it from some surprising angles. Rebecca Jennings takes a look at how “Divorce him, sis!” became TikTok’s default relationship advice. Allie Volpe charts the rise of divorce among aging Boomers – and the challenges posed by such a momentous late-in-life decision.
Alex Abad-Santos dives into the aesthetic of divorce and asks: Why do divorced men dress like that? Whizy Kim poses the question: Why don’t we celebrate the end of unhappy marriages like we do the start of happy ones? And Nicole Dieker offers a practical primer on what to know about money and getting divorced.
But there’s more in the issue: Umair Irfan answers a question from a reader: Will carbon capture fix climate change? It’s the latest installment from Explain It to Me, our new podcast and newsletter franchise. Abdallah Fayyad explains all those vexing upfront fees that come with renting an apartment.
Daniel Rothberg writes about how the epic global migration of birds relies on one tiny insect. Jessica Craig reports on a fascinating approach to fighting bacterial infection: phages — that is, viruses that can infect and kill bacteria.
Wrapping up the issue is Constance Grady, with the latest edition of her Ask a Book Critic column, available only to Vox members. And in The Highlight Podcast — another special members-only product — Benji Jones talks to neuroscientist Gregory Berns on the inner lives of cows (yes, cows).
We hope you enjoy the issue. Happy reading!
—Elbert Ventura, executive editor
Sandi Falconer for Vox
Most men are walking red flags, according to TikTok.
By Rebecca Jennings
Sandi Falconer for Vox
Why more Americans than ever are splitting up in their 50s and beyond.
By Allie Volpe
Sandi Falconer for Vox
The aggressively, brutally companionless divorced guy aesthetic.
By Alex Abad-Santos
Sandi Falconer for Vox
Divorced people deserve gifts and parties too.
By Whizy Kim
Sandi Falconer for Vox
How to take charge of your finances, according to two divorce professionals.
By Nicole Dieker Finley
A reader asks whether the latest developments in clean energy technology can help save the planet. We break it down.
By Umair Irfan
The brine fly is in trouble. It could take the whole ecosystem down with it.
By Daniel Rothberg
Signing a new lease often comes with high upfront costs that some renters can’t afford. It doesn’t have to be this way.
By Abdallah Fayyad
Bacteria-eating viruses might be able to fight antibiotic resistance where new treatments are most needed.
By Jess Craig
Plus short stories to dip into when life gets busy, and small-town longings.
By Constance Grady
Dr. Gregory Berns on his surprising research on the emotional lives of dogs and cows.
By Benji Jones
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