Cheryl Wetzstein
Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein
Teen sex rates plateaued, cigarette smoking down: survey
The sexual revolution looks to be on hold with American youth: A major survey has found for the seventh time that most high school youths have not had sexual intercourse. Published June 12, 2014
Eric Holder: More work, ‘sacrifice’ needed on LGBT issues
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. told a packed auditorium of gay-rights attorneys Tuesday that they should celebrate their recent victories — but get ready for more work and "sacrifice." Published June 10, 2014
Gay conversion therapy moving to culture war front
A group that supports "reparative" therapy to help people escape unwanted same-sex attractions is cheering a vote by Texas Republicans to endorse such counseling in their party platform. Published June 9, 2014
‘Parental synergy’ benefits children even as society changes, study finds
Differences in male-female parenting styles are not imaginary or based on stereotypes, according to an extensive survey released Monday. Published June 9, 2014
Supreme Court lets stand ruling for gay marriage
The Supreme Court has declined to halt a federal judge's order that overturns a voter-passed marriage amendment in Oregon. Published June 4, 2014
Female-named hurricanes are deadlier because fewer people respect them
A new study suggests that people have gender-biased views of the names given to the nation’s hurricanes, and are more likely to fear — and run for cover from — a “Hurricane Ivan” than from, say, a “Hurricane Katrina.” Published June 2, 2014
Teen in bitter Mass. custody battle may be heading home
In a bitter, lengthy custody case pitting her parents against the state of Massachusetts, a conservative legal defense organization says it is taking legal steps Friday to reunite ailing teen Justina Pelletier with her family at her Connecticut home. Published May 30, 2014
U.S. fertility plummets to record low
American fertility has reached a record low, driven by falling birthrates among teens and women in their early 20s, the federal government says in a new report being released Thursday. Published May 28, 2014
Report tracks abuses at abortion clinics, demands defunding
The leader of one of the nation's leading pro-life organizations says its undercover video recordings at the nation's abortion clinics have exposed a string of abuses and called on Congress to pull all government funding for the nation's leading provider of abortion services. Published May 28, 2014
Despite rapid march of gay marriage in only a year, opponents vow not to give up
With stunning swiftness, the legal landscape for same-sex marriage has been reshaped less than a year after the Supreme Court struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Published May 27, 2014
International adoption bill orphaned
A bipartisan bill to reform international adoption in the U.S. is running into stiff opposition. Proponents say U.S. foreign policy and programming need to be reorganized to help ensure that millions of orphans are relocated from institutions to families, and that ethical, inter-country adoption by Americans is part of that solution. Published May 20, 2014
Coalition highlights harms of pornography
The "XXX" factors have become "ick" factors, says a coalition that seeks to tell the public about how pornography is harming women, children, men and society. Published May 15, 2014
‘Personhood’ initiative won’t be on Mississippi ballot
No "personhood" initiative will be on the Mississippi ballot in November, state officials confirmed Wednesday, as a senior figure in the pro-life camp said activists decided to postpone their campaign. Published May 14, 2014
Deadline passes of pro-life ‘personhood’ amendment in Mississippi
There will be no pro-life "personhood" initiative on the Mississippi ballot this November, state officials confirmed Wednesday, as a senior figure in the anti-abortion camp said activists had long ago abandoned the drive to revive the measure. Published May 14, 2014
Kermit Gosnell’s ‘house of horrors’ back in limelight
The lurid details of the Kermit Gosnell's "house of horrors" abortion clinic didn't do much to sway public opinion. But a year after the doctor's murder conviction, his tale is being used to promote anti-abortion legislation and documentaries. Published May 12, 2014
Conservatives push Virginia universities to offer ex-gay materials
Arguing that some Virginia universities' sexual-minority centers are engaging in "viewpoint discrimination," a conservative law firm is taking steps to ensure materials on ex-gay services are offered to students this fall. Published May 12, 2014
Less rush to motherhood: Delayed childbirth trend can reshape population
A federal survey being released Friday finds that the percentage of first-time mothers 35 or older has risen more than fivefold since the early 1970s, a trend toward "midlife moms" that demographers and social scientists say is having pronounced effects on the size, composition and future growth of the U.S. population. Published May 8, 2014
Bill would address Supreme Court ruling on porn victims
Reacting to a recent Supreme Court decision, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill that, in certain cases, would force people convicted of possessing child pornography to pay at least $25,000 in restitution to the victim. Published May 7, 2014
Teen in state child-welfare battle to be moved closer to home
Justina Pelletier will soon be moved to a Connecticut facility where she will receive therapeutic services and be closer to home, a Massachusetts state official said Monday. Published May 5, 2014
Gay ‘conversion’ therapy bans stall across the nation
A movement to ban the controversial practice of "conversion therapy" that counsels gay children and teens on how to become straight is meeting with unexpected problems after the easy passaged of bills in California and New Jersey. Published May 4, 2014
