NEW YORK — Slate’s advice column, “Dear Prudence,” is seeing a temporary change in leadership as editor-in-chief Hillary Frey steps in to helm the column. The column, which encourages reader submissions and guarantees anonymity, has become a staple for those seeking guidance on personal qualms and dilemmas.
In a recent installment, a reader expressed frustration over her in-laws’ persistent mispronunciation of her daughter’s name, Helene. Despite being corrected multiple times, her in-laws continue to pronounce it “Hel-LYN” instead of “He-LEEN.” The reader shared that this issue has become a point of contention, leading her to contemplate using mispronunciation as a strategy to encourage her in-laws to correct themselves.
Frey, empathizing with the reader, shared her own experiences of people frequently mispronouncing her French-named daughter. She suggested a more direct approach: sitting the in-laws down and clearly articulating the importance of correctly pronouncing the name, emphasizing the potential long-term impact on their relationship with their granddaughter.
The column also addressed another reader’s concerns about societal reactions to her physical appearance due to her active lifestyle. As an avid participant in outdoor activities, her body sports bruises, tattoos, and signs of aging, which have recently begun to draw unwelcome attention and comments from strangers. Her query centered on whether she should cover up to make others comfortable or continue embracing her appearance unapologetically.
Frey’s advice underscored the importance of personal comfort over societal expectations. She encouraged the reader to continue living freely, suggesting that the perceptions of others are not as significant as her own sense of self-worth and enjoyment of life.
These personal stories breathe life into the broader social discourse around accepting individual differences and the boundaries of personal agency. Frey’s responses each week not only offer guidance to those in turmoil but also offer a glimpse into the collective human experience, with its vast array of challenges and triumphs.
“Dear Prudence” remains accessible to anyone wishing to submit their problems for review. Each submission offers a potential touchpoint for universal lessons in empathy, understanding, and action, effectively piecing together the mosaic of human emotion and conflict resolution through the shared experience of its readers.