Cheryl Wetzstein

Cheryl Wetzstein, a Washington Times staff member since 1985, is manager of special sections in The Washington Times' Advertising and Marketing Department.

Previously, she spent 30 years as a Washington Times news reporter, covering national domestic policy, in addition to being a features writer, environmental and consumer affairs reporter, and assistant business editor.

Beginning in 1994, Mrs. Wetzstein worked exclusively on welfare and family issues such as child support enforcement, abstinence and sex education, child welfare, sexually transmitted diseases, marriage, divorce, cohabiting and gay marriage.

She has won several newspaper awards, including 1977 Cub Reporter of the Year and 1983 Heart of New York award, both from the New York Press Club.

Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein

Long-married couples say humor, teamwork, respect and support keep them together. (Image courtesy of thecitycollection.org)

Laughter, respect keys to long marriage

How does one stay happily married to someone for 50 years or more? Published December 19, 2014

A bus filled with excited Cubans passes through the Vedado section of Havana, Cuba, on Dec. 17, 2014. After a half-century of Cold War acrimony, the United States and Cuba moved on Wednesday to restore diplomatic relations; a historic shift that could revitalize the flow of money and people across the narrow waters that separate the two nations. (AP Photo/The Key West Citizen, Rob O'Neal) MIAMI OUT

New U.S.-Cuba policy fuels families’ hopes, fears

The Obama administration's Wednesday announcement that U.S.-Cuba relations are to be renewed has sparked hope — and uncertainty — about what it will mean for divided families and the Cuban people. Published December 18, 2014

A new survey says gay men are more likely to get tested for HIV in the U.S. than straight men or women. (AP Photo)

Less than 3 percent of U.S. adults considered a ‘sexual minority’: survey

Less than 3 percent of the adult U.S. population is a sexual minority, the federal government says in a new report that asks people about their sexual orientation and health. Published December 17, 2014

Less than 3 percent of the U.S. adult population says they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, says a new federal survey of nearly 34,000 people. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Less than 3% of U.S. population LGBT: survey

Less than 3 percent of the adult U.S. population identify as a sexual minority, the federal government says in a new report that asked people about their sexual orientation and health. Published December 17, 2014

War hero Louis Zamperini, who died in July at age 97, testifies about the most important part of his life -- being born again at a Billy Graham revival in 1949 -- in a documentary film released this month by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Mr. Zamperini's extraordinary wartime experiences are shown in a major motion picture, "Unbroken." Both the Graham and Jolie films are set for release on Christmas Day. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

ANGELINA JOLIE: ‘Unbroken’ man’s faith story also told in film from Billy Graham group

Louis Zamperini made a 30-minute documentary to explain how his post-war conversion to Jesus Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade gave him a truly victorious life. Published December 17, 2014

With millions of new sexually transmitted disease (STD) infections a year, public health officials encourage people to get tested. (Image courtesy of County of San Mateo Health System). **FILE**

Chlamydia cases drop for first time, but syphilis up: survey

The burden of sexually transmitted disease shifted slightly in 2013, with the first reported decline in one STD, but a significant increase in another, the federal government said Tuesday. Published December 16, 2014

A new survey of more than 41,000 U.S. teens finds that more students are using electronic cigarettes than tobacco cigarettes. (AP Photo / Tim Ireland, PA)

Teens use e-cigarettes more than tobacco

Teen use of alcohol and cigarettes fell to their lowest level in decades, while use of several drugs, including marijuana, is down or stable, according to the new Monitoring the Future survey. Published December 16, 2014

E-cigarettes are usually made of metal parts combined with plastic or glass. They heat the liquid nicotine solution, creating vapor that quickly dissipates when exhaled. A new Montoring the Future survey says teens are flocking to e-cigarettes. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

E-cigarettes increasing in popularity among teens, National Institute of Drug Abuse study finds

The burgeoning popularity of electronic cigarettes is prompting public health officials to step up their investigation of how teens are responding to the new tobacco-free products. Published December 15, 2014

A bipartisan federal commission that monitors religious freedoms around the world is slated for a one-year renewal. (Illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times)

Religious freedom panel to be extended

A federal commission that monitors attacks on religious freedoms around the world has been renewed in legislation passed by Congress. The bill now goes to President Obama for signing. Published December 15, 2014

Eighty members of Congress have asked that a federal policy that bans gay and bisexual men from donating blood be changed by the end of the year. (Photo courtesy of Department of Defense 2014)

Gay blood donor policy: 80 lawmakers ask for end-of-year change

Eighty members of Congress have asked for a commitment from the Obama administration to end a ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men by the end of 2014. Published December 15, 2014

Gloria Harrigill, 3, places a blanket on a statue of baby Jesus on a Nativity scene at the Governor's Mansion in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 12 2014. The Nativity Committee of Tulsa and Knights of Columbus provided the Nativity Scene that will be displayed over the Christmas holiday. (AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Steve Gooch)

72% OK religious scenes on government property: study

Most Americans say OK to religious symbols on government properties during the December holiday season, but 20 percent don't want to see even a sign of a manger. Published December 15, 2014

"Family Guy"

Parents Television Council: ‘Family’ shows not friendly

Ninety-nine percent of broadcast television shows centered on a family had some form of adult content, the Parents Television Council said in a new report. Published December 12, 2014

The groom is missing after his bachelor party, but that's just the start of problems for buddies Zach Galifianakis (with baby Tyler), Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms in "The Hangover."

Male ‘idiotic’ behavior deemed legit: study

A theory that says men are more likely than women to do "idiotic" things is supported by an analysis of the Darwin Awards, says a new study in BMJ. Published December 12, 2014

(Image courtesy of DanielAusbun.org)

Pornography use affects ‘real’ relationships

Men who regularly watch pornography are more likely to depend on it to stay aroused but are less likely to enjoy sex with a real-life partner, a new study says. Published December 11, 2014

The birth control pill remains the most common method of female contraception in the U.S. (Associated Press) **FILE**

Contraceptive use remains level for U.S. women

Contraception use in the United States is stable, with almost two-thirds of the nation's 62 million reproductive-age women using a product or procedure to avoid pregnancy, new federal data say. Published December 11, 2014

A study involving the Los Angeles LGBT Center found that gay canvassers could influence some conservative voters to support gay marriage. The technique is being used to sway views in support of abortion, and possibly immigration.

Conservative voters influenced by gay canvassers: study

Conservative voters were influenced by pro-gay canvassers, says a study. Such a tactic will also be used to shift attitudes in favor of abortion rights and immigration. Published December 11, 2014

This Aug. 12, 2014, file photo shows a health care worker walking near a Ebola isolation unit wearing protective gear against the virus at Kenema Government Hospital in Kenema, Sierra Leone. (AP Photo/ Michael Duff, File) ** FILE **

NIH: Ebola-exposed nurse to be admitted at Bethesda campus

The National Institutes of Health said Thursday it expects to admit a nurse who was exposed to the Ebola virus in Africa to its special clinical studies unit. Update: Patient was admitted at NIH Clinical Center by 1 p.m. Published December 11, 2014

The 2010 census forms (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) ** FILE **

U.S. to be grayer, more immigrant-populated in 2060

Almost half a century from now, Americans will look a lot grayer as life expectancies reach into the 80s and fewer children are born, new federal data suggest. Published December 10, 2014

Computer scientists have already used tweets to track flu outbreaks. Now they want to use it to find prevalence of mental health conditions, such as depression or bipolar disorder. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Feeling depressed? Telling Twitter might cue scientists too

Computer scientists are finding they can use Twitter to track prevalence of physical illness, such as the flu, and now mental health conditions, such as depression. Published December 10, 2014

(FILE - AP Photo/Aberdeen American News, Kevin Bennett)

Sex ed abstinence funding freed in draft budget bill

Abstinence education advocates are cheering a measure in the 2015 funding bill that should lead to more states teaching children and teens about the benefits of sexual abstinence until marriage. Published December 10, 2014