Advice Columns Apr 2026

Here is a look into why this format has survived for centuries and how it’s evolving today. A Quick History of "Dear Someone"

The Agony and the Ecstasy: Why We Can’t Stop Reading Advice Columns

The advice column didn't start with glossy magazines; it began in 1690 with , which answered reader questions on everything from botany to premarital sex. ADVICE COLUMNS

Psychologists suggest we don't just read these for the answers; we read them for the . Advice Columns: A Window into Human Nature for Writers

Also worthy of inclusion is the work of Cheryl Strayer, writing as an anonymous advice columnist “Dear Sugar” for The Common 2009- Substack·Addicted to Writing How Online Advice Columns Teach Us To Tell Our Own Stories Here is a look into why this format

For decades, titans like Ann Landers and Dear Abby (who were actually twin sisters!) dominated the scene, reaching millions of daily readers with their blend of maternal wisdom and strict social etiquette.

From the 17th-century coffeehouses of London to the chaotic threads of Reddit, humans have always had an insatiable hunger for one thing: knowing what to do with their messy lives. Whether you call them "Agony Aunts," "Dear Abby," or "AITA," advice columns are more than just self-help—they are a window into the human condition. Advice Columns: A Window into Human Nature for

As social norms loosened, so did the advice. Columns like Savage Love broke barriers by discussing LGBTQ+ issues and sex with a raw, often controversial honesty that older columns avoided. Why We’re Hooked (Even if it’s Not Our Problem)