Cheryl Wetzstein
Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein
WETZSTEIN: Let’s give tough love to media
We Americans sure love our media. We buy their devices, we watch their content, we give them as gifts. But do our media love us back? Published December 16, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Forgiving brings freedom of heart
The American holiday season is first and foremost a time for family. We gather from afar, renewing childhood bonds, reacquainting ourselves with distant relatives and greeting new family members. Published December 14, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Holiday season catch-up
The holiday season offers lots of chances for family reunions and "catch-up sessions" thanks to all those long letters from distant relatives. Published December 9, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Arkansas law targets adoption
On Nov. 4, Arkansas voters passed a law limiting foster parenting and adoption to married couples and single persons. Published December 7, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Obama urged to stand by youths
A top item on child-welfare advocates' wish list for President-elect Barack Obama is the revival of a White House Conference on Children and Youth, to be held in 2010. Published December 2, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Too early to judge programs
About 10 years ago, when I started writing about the "marriage renaissance" in America - a phrase I first heard from Smart Marriages founder Diane Sollee - I heard curious comments about the state of marriage research. Published November 30, 2008
WETZSTEIN: ‘Change’ of role models
Soon most American families will gather for our national celebration of Thanksgiving. On this day, family reigns supreme - at least until kickoff. Published November 25, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Pilgrims thankful for Indians’ help
Thanksgiving is nearly upon us. Amid the countless directions our thoughts go at this time, let me offer a few words about the origin of this holiday. Published November 23, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Heroism starts at home
It's been seven years since America renewed its love for heroes in uniforms. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, everyone wore NYPD and FDNY hats and T-shirts in honor of the brave men and women who climbed the stairs and fought to keep order in chaotic streets. Published November 18, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Marriage, family a goal for teens
One of my favorite research groups, Mathematica Policy Research Inc., has released a comprehensive review of where American teens and young adults stand on dating, cohabiting and marriage. Published November 16, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Same-sex marriage blocked
On Nov. 4, voters in California, Arizona and Florida changed their constitutions to say that marriage is the union of a man and a woman. This brings the tally of these marriage amendments to 30. Published November 11, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Desperate parents drop off children
Since September, a handful of parents and guardians have been using Nebraska's "safe haven" law to turn their teenagers and schoolchildren over to state care without facing criminal charges. Published November 9, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Family culture in flux
Regardless of who wins Tuesday, the next administration certainly will see more upheaval in America's family culture. Published November 4, 2008
WETZSTEIN: ‘Parasite’ of porn is persistent
I recently spoke with a man who asked that I call him "Lee" from Kentucky. Lee had seen the new movie "Fireproof" and wanted to tell me his story about the "parasite" of pornography in his marriage. Published October 28, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Will Generation Y be dumb or great?
Are our youth going to be the "dumbest generation" or the next "great generation"? This unanswerable question recently was posed -- where else -- at a Washington think tank. Published October 26, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Genius takes its toll
When I first saw the trailer for the movie "Flash of Genius," I instantly knew it was about Robert Kearns, the man who invented the intermittent windshield wiper, had it stolen from him by the auto industry and fought back. Published October 21, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Concerns remain with adoption act
Amid the politicking and financial fights, Congress actually passed a significant piece of legislation for troubled families in September. Published October 19, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Tracking abortion trends
For the best overview of U.S. abortion since it was legalized, I would urge you to get a comprehensive report just released by the Guttmacher Institute. Published October 14, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Provision targets mental health
The recent financial bailout contains a ray of hope for millions of families who struggle with mental illness. Tucked inside H.R. 1424, which President Bush signed Oct. 3, is a provision to create "parity" for mental health in group health insurance. As of January 2010, families with group health insurance can expect to be treated the same whether they seek help for mental or physical illness. Published October 12, 2008
WETZSTEIN: Faithful parents needed
In family matters, there is renewed interest in the topic of child well-being. Certainly, some leaders - Marian Wright Edelman comes to mind - have been championing children's health for decades. Myriad more groups now sound the battle cry for children. Published October 7, 2008
