Living - Nov. 21, 2009
Porn, erotica give couples options for arousal
A recent episode of "Oprah" got OnMilwaukee.com sex and relationships columnist Sarah Foster thinking about porn. Once predominantly a genre catering to males, more and more women are buying and downloading films, causing increased production of more sensual "erotica."
Tagged with: porn, erotica, jenna jameson

Living - Nov. 14, 2009
Why the nice guys finish last
This week, our sex and relationships columnist tries to answer the age-old question: Why do nice guys finish last? Gentlemen, take notes.
Tagged with: nice guys finish last, sex, dating, relationships, bad boys

Living - Nov. 7, 2009
The necessary evils of sexual education
More than ever, sex education is an important part of a teenager's high school experience. OnMilwaukee.com sex/relationships columnist Sarah Foster thinks that parents need to step to the plate when it comes to teaching kids about the "birds and the bees."
Tagged with: sex ed, teen pregnancy, abstinence

Living - Oct. 31, 2009
What does it mean to live in a "Woman's Nation?"
Perhaps you've heard about the recent study and subsequent news hype about the happiness of women in this country. Maria Shriver was a guest reporter on NBC's "Today" show last week and brought up the study in her segment, "A Woman's Nation." The premise is that women are less happy today than they were in 1972.
Tagged with: a woman's nation, women's rights, women's studies, women's happiness, betsey stevenson, justin wolfers, the feminine mistake, leslie bennetts

Living - Oct. 24, 2009
Deconstructing the most wonderful four-letter word
We all know people that throw around the word "love" as if they were saying "Thank you," or "Good morning." It's like when someone apologizes too often and too quickly and you can tell they don't even know what those words mean anymore. It isn't easy to say those three little words -- even when you are truly invested and involved in a relationship -- because the fear is you won't hear them in return.
Tagged with: love, i love you, meaning of love

Living - Oct. 17, 2009
Study finds 237 reasons women have sex
Aside from affection, love and attraction, women admit to having sex for reasons ranging from boosting their self-esteem to getting revenge on either a cheating partner or another woman. Some say they have sex to relieve pain such as a headache, or because it helps them fall asleep more easily.
Tagged with: female sexuality, time magazine, why humans have sex

Living - Oct. 10, 2009
Romance 101: Tips for adding sizzle to your dates
Dinner and a movie is traditional and pleasant. But, it can be boring. Looking for a way to add some zip to your dating life or rekindle the romance in your relationship? Sometimes, it pays to be creative. With a little planning, you can have memorable, romantic and game-changing dates.
Tagged with: romance, romantic tips

Living - Oct. 3, 2009
Let's show a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T for R-O-M-A-N-C-E
Whether you're just starting something new or are years into it, romance is interconnected with many of the other aspects in a relationship: passion, sex, love, spontaneity, desire and longevity. Even when we feel like we know someone still wants us and thinks about us, it's always nice to be reassured. Romance happens, you don't need to plan it or pay for it, but don't ignore it. When the moment strikes, you need to take full advantage.
Tagged with: romance, valentine's day, courtship

Living - Sept. 25, 2009
Polygamy often leads to mind control and abuse
Many people confuse polygamy with bigamy, which also means multiple marriages. The difference between the two is that in polygamy, all the involved parties know about one another, which is often not the case in bigamy. In this country, both are illegal. Bigamy is considered a misdemeanor and polygamy a felony. The practices are in the spotlight more and more due to recent court cases over the matter as well as popular television shows like "Big Love," which portray the ins and outs of polygamist families in a fictional setting.
Tagged with: polygamy, big love, bigamy, warren jeffs

Living - Sept. 18, 2009
Overcoming fear is key to ending domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is something many of us see every day, but either the signs are too slight to recognize or we believe that it's none of our business to intrude. It's true that many abusive relationships start out very subtle; so subtle, in fact, that victims themselves have trouble identifying the abuse until it reaches more severe levels. By that time, the manipulation of their emotions is such that even physical violence is not enough to convince them to seek help.
Tagged with: domestic abuse

Living - Sept. 10, 2009
Where temptation is just a mouse-click away
The commercial grabs attention. A guy wakes up from a night of drinking, he's in bed with a large and unattractive woman, and he slips out of bed, grabs his stuff and sneaks down the stairs -- clearly trying to forget this ever happened. He's almost out the door when he gets a disappointed look on his face and the camera cuts to a wedding photo of him and the gal upstairs. Welcome to AshleyMadison.com.
Tagged with: ashley madison, noel biderman, adultery, sarah foster

Living - Sept. 3, 2009
For couples, strip clubs represent a slippery slope
When it comes to strip clubs, some women are set down strict rules for their husbands and boyfriends. Others are more relaxed. However, the line between spectating and participating is thin and can lead to problems in a relationship. Whether it's a bachelor party, client schmoozing or just a drunken guys' night out, many women just don't like the idea of their men being surrounded by naked women.
Tagged with: strip clubs, relationships

Living - Aug. 27, 2009
Vandalism prompts questions about gay marriage
All the recent activity in the news about civil unions between same-sex partners, along with a criminal act of vandalism committed against a friend, prompted a number of questions. What's the big deal? What is it about gays, lesbians and bisexuals that sends otherwise normal people to a place of such hate and violence?
Tagged with: gay marriage, hate crime, homophobia

Living - Aug. 21, 2009
A little phone call (or text or e-mail) goes a long way
You don't want to suffocate your mate, but a simple "I'm thinking of you" message can help deepen the bonds of a relationship.
Tagged with: absence, phone messages, texts, e-mails

Living - Aug. 14, 2009
When it comes to sex, is three company or a crowd?
As with many ideas, the menage a trois is a lot easier to conceive than it is to execute. Here is a look at some pitfalls to the fantasy.
Tagged with: threesomes, menage a trois

Living - Aug. 7, 2009
No business like shoe business (and other fetishes)
I have a fetish ... when I see a pair of shoes that I like, I can barely think about anything else.
Tagged with: shoe fetish, fetish

Living - July 31, 2009
Not exactly Pollyanna when it comes to polyamory
The idea of marriage and one partner for the rest of your existence goes against many of our primal instincts. But, we're more intelligent than cats and bears, aren't we?
Tagged with: polyamory

Living - July 25, 2009
How to initiate talk about initiating bedroom action
Some people are initiators. Some people wait for things to happen. Breaking those patterns can be a difficult proposition.
Tagged with: relationship, initiating sex talk

Living - July 18, 2009
Do relationships suffer when the economy tanks?
It's no secret that when times are tough, bills are piling up and one or more of the parties in a relationship fear being laid off, a relationship can suffer because we are so preoccupied with keeping our heads above water.
Tagged with: recession, relationships

Living - July 10, 2009
Sex by the numbers
Asked about their sexual partners, men tend to inflate and women subtract. This is because the standards are different for the sexes.
Tagged with: sex, partners, sluts, gigolos