Dear Abby Advises on Marital Trust, Family Roles, Social Media

Abigail Van Buren, writing under the pen name Dear Abby, offered guidance to readers facing interpersonal conflicts in relationships and family dynamics in a recent installment of her long-running advice column. The responses, drawn from letters submitted by individuals across the United States, addressed themes of trust, professional boundaries, and digital temptations, highlighting common struggles in modern personal lives.

One correspondent, identifying as "Keep It to Myself," described a deepening rift in his marriage due to his wife's persistent questioning of his statements. He recounted instances where even obvious observations, such as arriving home wet from rain, prompted her to verify details independently, like checking a weather app. The couple had sought counseling years earlier, but the sessions emphasized his communication shortcomings, which he said exacerbated her doubting behavior. Now at a breaking point, he avoided conversations to prevent escalating anger, fearing an eventual outburst. Van Buren advised him to confront the issue immediately rather than letting resentment build. "One day you will tell her? How about getting it off your chest right now?" she...