Love Lessons

Everything you need to know about love and sex.

Pepper Schwartz is Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle. See full bio

June 24, 2009

The Power of Sex

Senator John Enseign and Governor Mark Sanford have joined the ranks of sexually straying political husbands...a pretty crowded category. Both men have been caught with their pants down, even as they have pontificated about sexual morality to the rest of us. Read More

June 15, 2009

Fathers and Step Fathers

Dad's Day is upon us and an issue in the press bears heavily on the question of: What is a Dad? The famous case before us is the sad legal battle of the American Dad whose wife kidnapped their child on the pretext of visiting her parents and took him to Brazil. Read More

May 26, 2009

The Contradictions of Gay Marriage

The recent decision of the California Supreme Court has left me puzzled-and I am not alone. On the one hand, I understand how they could decide not to overturn a democratic vote on gay marriage. Read More

April 29, 2009

Lipsology

Well, call me old fashioned. But some of the new psychiatric techniques just leave me cold. If I can't find a link between A causing B (for example between head bumps and a tendency to not return phone calls), I just don't accept head bump analysis. Read More

April 21, 2009

Marriage, Civil Unions, Domestic Partnership- Cohabitation-The New Smorgasbord Intimacy

The big flare up at the Miss USA contest over gay marriage has got me thinking again about social change and intimacy. Miss California ticked off Pageant judge Perez, a gay man, by answering a question on gay marriage in a way that was certain to antagonize him. It did, big time. He probably gave her a big zero for a score, and she went right into Miss Runner Up. What did she say? Read More

April 8, 2009

Travel & Romance

Traveling alone and traveling with friends admittedly has its virtues. But there is nothing like traveling with someone you love to fully appreciate some of the romantic aspects that travel has to offer. Read More

March 17, 2009

Small Acts of Etiquette

Etiquette is an interesting cultural variation. I gave a workshop last weekend in Bermuda and between sessions I walked around Hamilton, took a bus here and there and spent time in the dockyard area. Everywhere I went people said hello, smiled and were helpful when I did something ignorant (like not press a button on a light that would have gotten me across a street more quickly). Read More

December 24, 2008

It's a Wonderful Life

I can't help but compare my different seasonal outings. Some are big parties that generally make me feel oppressed. First, I'm small and feel like I am going to be crushed. Second, they are so loud that you can't hear much of anything and so, ultimately, boring. Read More

Books by Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D.

Prime: Adventures and Advice on Sex, Love, and the Sensual Years

Relationships Basics

Love is the most profound emotion known to human beings. For most people, romantic relationships are the most meaningful element in their lives. But the ability to have a healthy, loving relationship is not innate. Almost all of us have experienced a failed relationship, and most of us have to work consciously to master the skills necessary to make them flourish.

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Books by Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D.

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