berman
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20120922194939im_/http://www.suntimes.com/csp/cms/sites/STM/assets/img/columnists/color/bermancolor.jpg)
Laura Berman biography
Dr. Laura Berman is a world renowned sex and relationship expert who is considered a thought leader and innovator in her field. As a sex …
Read More-
Dating after divorce: 7 things to consider
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Dating after divorce always is tricky. It can be hard to know when the time is right, especially if you have children and are navigating issues with your spouse.
-
Teaching teens to respect their bodies
DR. LAURA BERMAN: A recent survey released from the National Center for Health Statistics found that oral sex actually is on the decline among teenagers, as is vaginal intercourse.
-
American breast is bigger, but in danger, author says
The biology of the breast is changing — and not for the better, says Florence Williams, author of Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History. She details a number of alarming trends that may be contributing to the United State’s high rate of breast cancer — today and in years to come.
Search recent columns
More Columns
Angry with your partner? Here’s the right way to handle it
DR. LAURA BERMAN: A new study from the University of Tennessee has found that expressing anger to your partner actually can be beneficial to your bond. Researcher and associate professor James McNulty found that the “short-term discomfort of an angry but honest conversation” could lead to less resentment and tension. It also could help set clear boundaries, as once the offending partner knows what they have done wrong, they can easily avoid the behavior in the future and prevent hurt feelings down the road.
Let’s stop knocking choices moms make
DR. LAURA BERMAN: When men rise up the corporate ladder, we don’t question whether they are fulfilling their responsibilities at home or accuse them of being bad fathers. Yet when women go after their career goals, eyebrows are raised and questions are asked.
Going bald is a family affair for Laura Berman
Hair was the last thing on my mind when I went to what I imagined to be a routine oncology follow-up after my breast cancer surgery in January. But that would soon change as I learned that my cancer actually was HER2 positive, which means …
Too many creeps see opportunity on buses, trains
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Public transportation can be a blessing, but as commuters know, it also can be a curse. Sexual harassment can be an issue, as is sexual assault in the form of unwanted touching, indecent exposure and public masturbation.
Will Miley marrying make your teen consider getting hitched?
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Parents are worried about the message Miley Cyrus’ teenage engagement could send to their own children, while others have pointed out that this is a growing trend in Hollywood.
Dad’s fear of daughter dating keeps myths alive
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Many parents are more comfortable with the idea of their teenage boys dating rather than teenage girls. However, this can perpetuate potentially damaging social messaging.
Shaking up myths about sex toys
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Even though over a century has passed since the invention of the vibrator (the first was sold in 1902), there are still many misconceptions and myths that surround sex toys.
Too much self-sacrifice breeds resentment
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Women tend to put their own needs and desires on hold to serve their partner. It sounds romantic, but it’s important to make sure that your self-sacrifice isn’t actually going to harm your bond later down the road.
Alcohol overload, risk of sex assault linked
DR. LAURA BERMAN: A recent Australian study surveyed more than 2,000 college students for four years and found that women who binge drink are more likely to be victims of sexual assault. They also are more likely to forgo safer sex practices such as condoms.
Parents bring different values to kids
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Researchers have found that paternal love was a key factor in a child’s self-esteem, and that a father’s involvement contributes to a child’s ability to establish healthy relationships and key goals.
Why don’t women insist on condoms? It’s complicated
DR. LAURA BERMAN: A woman’s exposure to violence has a negative impact on her sexual behavior, a troubling new study discovers.
Sexual tension simmers in many male-female friendships
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Is there such a thing as friends with no benefits? A recent study suggests not. Researchers surveyed more than 400 individuals from the ages of 18-52 and asked them questions about their friendships with the opposite sex. Their findings were surprising: A large number of survey respondents admitted they felt some level of attraction for their friends.
Boy Scouts wrong to dump gay mom leader
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Last month Jennifer Tyrrell was asked to resign as a Tiger den leader by a representative of the Boy Scouts of America. The reason behind the unceremonious dismissal shocked and offended many Americans: Jennifer was barred from the organization because she is gay.
A feeding tube is now a bride’s best friend?
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Although it sounds like something out of a “Saturday Night Live skit,” the feeding tube diet is quite real. It’s growing popular with brides in the United States, Europe and beyond.
YouTube: A new way for our doc to help troubled couples
DR. BERMAN: With YouTube, I have found a tool that could help me offer therapy in digestible doses to couples with a wide variety of issues.
Early breast cancer detection still saves lives
DR. BERMAN: Early detection has saved many lives, so while breast cancer screening might have led to a few cases of over-treatment, there were many more women who were saved as a result of early detection. For me, that says it all.
How has living together changed?
DR. BERMAN: Living together used to be considered the sign of an unstable relationship and a predictor of a divorce (assuming the couple even made it from roommates to spouses). Now, recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests otherwise.