Cheryl Wetzstein
Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein
Census Bureau gets specific on nuptials
The marriage market for men was bullish in Arkansas and several Western states in 2009, while divorce rates on the two coasts were lower than they were in the Old South, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday in a first-of-its-kind survey of American mating and splitting patterns in the states. Published August 24, 2011
Welfare reform law faces revision at 15
Don't expect much hoopla or cake-cutting as the landmark welfare reform law passed by President Clinton and congressional Republicans in the mid-1990s celebrates its 15th anniversary Monday. Published August 21, 2011
Report: Cohabitation a threat to child welfare
Cohabiting is an emerging threat to the health of children and society, two new research reports say. Published August 17, 2011
House attorneys: Marriage law constitutional
Attorneys for the House of Representatives this week asked a federal court to throw out a case against the Defense of Marriage Act, saying the 1996 law is both constitutional and rational. Published August 16, 2011
Divorce reform could save billions in government aid
Now that government belt-tightening has become a national obsession, divorce-reform advocates are making the argument that they can be part of the solution. Published August 15, 2011
Federal study explores childbearing by era
Why did one-fifth of women born in 1910 never have a baby, while women born in 1935 averaged three? Published August 11, 2011
National HIV infection rate levels off
An estimated 50,000 HIV cases are diagnosed each year in America, indicating that the infection rate for the deadly disease is relatively stable — although at an unacceptably high level, public health officials said Wednesday. Published August 3, 2011
States no longer wedded to idea of alimony for life
The traditional idea that post-divorce alimony payments should last "until death do us part" may itself be on its deathbed. Published July 28, 2011
Values groups file suit to overturn law on homosexual marriages
The day after New York became the sixth U.S. state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, two traditional-values groups filed a lawsuit to overturn the law, saying that politicians used a "corrupt legislative process" to enact it. Published July 25, 2011
N.Y. gay marriage law faces first legal challenge
The day after New York became the sixth U.S. state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a traditional-values law firm filed a lawsuit to overturn the law, saying that politicians used a "corrupt legislative process" to enact it. Published July 25, 2011
Gay-marriage foes cite polygamy suit
Reality-TV star Kody Brown and his "sister wives" may not intend to be an example of the "slippery slope" in the gay-marriage debate, but their new lawsuit against Utah's anti-polygamy laws bolsters the argument that legalizing marriage for same-sex couples could open the door to recognition of other kinds of marriages. Published July 24, 2011
Democrats urge DOMA repeal
Senate and House Democrats urged their colleagues at a Wednesday hearing to support a bill that would repeal the federal law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman, so federal benefits and rights can flow to gay couples who are legally married under a state law. Published July 20, 2011
Gay couples back DOMA repeal
A 1996 federal marriage law is unconstitutional and should be repealed, Sen. Dianne Feinstein told a news conference that featured gay couples who have insurance, visa and legal problems because of the law. Published July 19, 2011
GOP has ‘blueprint for action’ on Planned Parenthood
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which receives about $1 million a day in taxpayer funds, should be investigated by Congress, a group of House Republicans said in a Capitol Hill event Thursday. Published July 14, 2011
Senate panel is urged to renew domestic violence law
Clinical psychologist Phil McGraw, known popularly as "Dr. Phil," urged a Senate committee Wednesday not to be "penny-wise and pound-foolish" in its renewing of the Violence Against Women Act. Published July 13, 2011
U.S., Russia end near-ban on adoptions
The near-moratorium on adoptions with Russia was lifted Wednesday when top U.S. and Russian officials signed an unprecedented pact on intercountry adoption. Published July 13, 2011
Child abuse targeted by hearing in House
In May, Christian Choate's body was found in a shallow grave, buried under cement and lime near an Indiana trailer park. Investigators believe the boy died two years ago at age 13. Published July 12, 2011
U.S., Russia close to pact to restart adoptions
Following the international uproar last year over an unwanted 7-year-old Russian boy being sent home — unaccompanied — by his would-be adoptive American mother, U.S. and Russian officials are poised this week to sign a pact allowing intercountry adoption to resume fully, but with significant new restrictions in place. Published July 11, 2011
Full employment of parents hits 21-year low
The Great Recession left its mark on the lives of U.S. children, reducing the number with fully employed parents to 72 percent, a low mark not seen since 1990, according to a federal report released this week. Published July 8, 2011
Report seeks probe of Planned Parenthood
A report released Thursday on the Planned Parenthood Federation of America called for lawmakers to investigate what the pro-life researchers called a "scandal-ridden" group. Published July 6, 2011
