Agony Aunts are the listening ear to the public’s stresses and woes, but are they a dependable source? Is the promise of unbiased advice behind the cover of anonymity the key to fixing your problems, or the falsehood which cements them?
The humble beginnings of the Agony Aunt lie with John Dutton, a 17th century printer and bookseller. Finding himself in quite the moral conundrum (regarding the affair he was having), Dutton realised that he had nobody to reach out to or perhaps, nobody to give him permission. The obvious answer to this problem was to start his own gazette, which was opened to readers. With that, one man’s strength and honesty birthed what soon grew into the ‘cornerstone of most gossip and lifestyle magazines.’
Yes, maybe the mystical Agony Aunt loses some of her acclaim with this information in mind, but the development of this pivotal character saves her place in history. This unique form of journalism redeems itself when looked at through the female lens. Of course, our dear aunt still reads and listens to the voices of all, but some of her most avid readers have been young women, reeling with questions and worries left unanswered by judgemental friends, lacking textbooks and a healthy serving of shame (setting aside the pre-internet landscape). From More! magazine’s advice on sex and relationships to Britain’s ‘ultimate Agony Aunt’ Claire Rayner, this column has served to break down barriers through its juxtaposing qualities; empathy and tough love.
The Student’s very own column was established a few years ago by a journalist seeking to give advice to their peers with considered and heartfelt words.
“Communication is the catalyst you need in this convoluted love equation to protect yourself.” – Karishma Balasubramanian writing for The Student
Speaking to a fellow peer is certainly favourable to the vice which many find themselves turning to, the polemic AI, and it serves as a way of offering advice from a similar perspective. After all, this method of providing counsel has even been equipped in classrooms as a helpful way of encouraging young people to act with sensitivity towards others.
Would it not be reprising the role of the Agony Aunt to tell you what to do? As with any advice, it should be taken with a pinch of salt, but the long history of this column reveals the important role it plays in giving voice to unheard, shared issues, and providing people with just one more opinion (not to mention, a touch of gossip).
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash