Blog Posts by Erin Flaherty, Shine staff

Okay, let's face it, Gabriel Byrne epitomizes the "hot older man," so much so that even if you don't have any daddy complex whatsoever, he's still attractive. That's power. Today, the NY Times gets serious about why ladies are lusting after Dr. Weston in the new HBO hit, "In Treatment."

FROM BLOGHER:

Are gay and lesbian relationships healthier and happier than straight ones? Recent studies indicate this may be the case. What are the differences between gay couples and straight ones, and do gay couples hold the keys to happy long lasting love? Research done by psychologist Robert-Jay Green, executive director of Rockway Institute, finds there are two key factors which promote healthier relationships in gay and lesbian couples: greater flexibility in gender roles and more equal division of parenting and household tasks.

Gay = Showing or characterized by cheerfulness and lighthearted excitement; merry.

Thoughts?

More and more women are getting married later, and sometimes not at all. Bridget Jones Diary lovin' writer (we won't hold that against her), Anne Marie O'Connor explains why she's happy to be called by that tired old moniker at Tangomag.com.

What does it mean to be a spinster today anyway? Is the term just plain outdated?

Ever feel like a ho for wearing "sexy" lingerie that makes you feel like Divine Brown? There is a time in every woman's life when playing around with flavored panties seems decadent and fun, but it sure passes quick. Sister Sarah Sibley preaches the good word: Granny panties can be hot too.

FROM DIVINE CAROLINE:

I have a drawer full of lusty-busty lingerie, as I like to call it. Being a newly married woman, there was a party thrown in my honor to outfit me with all sorts of racy and lacy unmentionables to ensure a long happy marriage filled with mad, passionate love-making sessions. But, since this is real life and not the pages of a lingerie magazine, my lumpy, disproportioned goosebumped body doesn't ever seem to look right when strapped into a contraption made of lace, silk, wire, and little else … and I just don't feel right.

Read more at DivineCaroline.com.

Oh man. Parents Sheila and Paul Garcia faced a difficult decision when their sixteen year old daughter announced her new boyfriend, wait for it, was 36!!! They let him move in. (Ew, yuck and double gross.) Sound like a twisted new reality show? Read on.

Has everyone seen this clip from super scary new show "The Moment of Truth" by now? This poor chick obviously still has feelings for her ex (wouldn't you be like, a sociopath if you didn't?), but she made the HUGE mistake of allowing herself to be hooked up to a lie detector in front of millions of Americans eagerly tuning in at Prime Time. Watch as her marriage goes down the drain, live on national television!

Is it any secret that most school districts skimp on sex education? If kids were better informed, maybe we would have less unwanted pregnancies and rampant STDs. Oh no, right, it's the free condoms. Planned Parenthood is responsible for underage sex. Of course!

FROM YAHOO NEWS:

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A sizable minority of sex education teachers does not cover all of the basics, and many lack training to teach sex ed at all, a survey of teachers in one state suggests.

In a study of sex ed teachers at 201 Illinois schools, researchers found that one-third of teachers did not give comprehensive instruction -- defined as covering the four basic topics of abstinence, birth control, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

In addition, 30 percent said they had no special training in teaching sex education, and these teachers were less likely to teach a comprehensive course.

Today Dame magazine writer Jeannie Long (interestingly, the co-author of the article turned Hollywood pic, "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"), takes a look at the infamous starter marriage, and wonders whether it's just another phrase that's short hand for, "I've settled for less."

FROM DAME:

"Pamela Paul validated the term "starter marriage" in her book
The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony, in 2002. She theorizes that societal pressures, unrealistic expectations and the prevalence of divorce have led to a relaxed view towards marriage. To support her theory she interviewed 60 women who'd all had starter marriages and later admitted that there were warning signs that he wasn't the one. Knowing this, they still married the guy-but for practice."

For more, check out the full article on Dame.