Agony aunt

Agony Aunt is a term used primarily in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries to refer to a newspaper or magazine columnist who offers advice to readers who write in with personal problems. The name "agony aunt" is derived from the fact that the advice is usually given in a sympathetic, nurturing manner, similar to that of a caring aunt.

History

The concept of the agony aunt has been a part of journalistic advice columns since the inception of newspapers. The first known advice column was started in 1691 in the British publication The Athenian Mercury. The column, titled "The Athenian Oracle", was written by a group of men who used the pseudonym "The Athenian Society".

Role and Function

The primary role of an agony aunt is to provide advice and guidance to individuals who are facing personal dilemmas or challenges. These can range from relationship issues, health concerns, ethical dilemmas, or any other personal problems. The agony aunt responds to these letters in a public forum, providing advice based on their own experiences, knowledge, and sometimes, professional expertise.

Notable Agony Aunts

There have been many notable agony aunts throughout history. Some of the most well-known include Dear Abby, whose real name was Pauline Phillips, and her sister Ann Landers, whose real name was Esther Lederer. Both women wrote advice columns for American newspapers for several decades. In the UK, Marjorie Proops was a famous agony aunt who wrote for the Daily Mirror for over 40 years.

Criticism

While many people find the advice of agony aunts helpful, there has been criticism of the role. Some critics argue that the advice given is often generic and not tailored to the specific needs of the individual. Others argue that the public nature of the advice can lead to a breach of privacy.

See Also

• Advice column
• Dear Abby
• Ann Landers
• Marjorie Proops