Readers respond to a guest essay about women who dine alone. Also: A lawyer writes about a fundamental right codified in the Fifth Amendment.

Genetic genealogy is identifying the mothers of deceased newborns found abandoned, shedding light on crimes that went unsolved for years. Women now may face lengthy prison sentences for decades-old chapters of their pasts.

© Jordan Vonderhaar for The New York Times

A growing number of older women are seeking treatment for eating disorders. Many have struggled without help for decades.

© Carolyn Fong for The New York Times

A growing number of older women are seeking treatment for eating disorders. Many have struggled without help for decades.

© Carolyn Fong for The New York Times

“John Proctor is the Villain” turns the idea that MeToo was a witch hunt inside out.

© Photo illustration by The New York Times

Shamsa Sharawe made her name campaigning against female genital cutting. Then she heard about surgery to rebuild what had been taken from her.

© Nariman El-Mofty for The New York Times

Pronatalist policies are unsupported by data, too narrow and, frankly, weird.

Despite significant evidence that a deluge of pornography has a negative impact on modern society, there is a curious refusal to publicly admit disapproval of it.

In a unique twist, three women swap mothers for a candid conversation about their choice to be child-free in “M/other.”

In a unique twist, three women swap mothers for a candid conversation about their choice to be child-free.