Articles by: Dr. Janet Taylor

I have to admit I was an early watcher of reality television. I am old enough to remember Alan Funt's "Candid Camera," a very G-rated version of Ashton Kucher's "Punked." Later, I would be glued to "COPS." I loved that show. Who knew the entertainment factor that the vast number of trailer parks and crime-ridden neighborhoods in America could provide with suspects, the police and a video camera?

The recent news that Halle Berry quit a movie role to fight a custody battle with her ex over their beautiful child, Nahla, was a shocker. Yes, they were not together, but media coverage indicated that they were going to focus on effectively co-parenting their little daughter...

NBA baller and Phoenix Sun star Steve Nash recently served his wife divorce papers one day after she delivered their son, while expressing happiness at their new bundle of joy. A few days later, actress Eva Longoria filed legal documents to end her relatively new (less than three year) marriage to San Antonio Spur Tony Parker because of allegations of "sexting" another woman among other rumors. The reality is it's not just the 'rich and famous' who are choosing to end their unions. Up to sixty percent of married couples in the United States will divorce for a multitude of reasons...

In the 1950's, some affluent Black communities had "blue vein" rules for membership. In other words, if your skin was too dark, or browner than a grocery store paper bag, you were excluded. However, visible blue veins through your skin was a ticket for admission to the club...

A new report  by the Duke University Foundation for Child Development is quite sobering. For the past 33 years, researchers supported by a philanthropic grant have measured the overall quality of life and well being of families (including youth and children). There are seven core domains that include economic wellbeing, safe/risky behavior, social relationships, emotional/spiritual wellbeing, community engagement, educational attainment, and health. Family wellbeing has been on the decline since 2007 with the quality of life and well-being for children and youth declining since 2009 and projected to worsen throughout 2010...

Glenn Beck you should be ashamed of yourself. Last week, you slammed folks for criticizing Sarah Palin and indicated that picking on families of politicians is not fair game. This week, you unashamedly belittled Malia Obama's intelligence, relationship with her upstanding and not just Presidential but present father, and her self-esteem related to being black, all under the guise of attacking President Obama on his response to the BP oil crisis.

A picture is truly worth a thousand words. I have to admit that I was momentarily shocked when my eyes landed on the family photo of Sandra Bullock and her adorable bouncing baby boy, Louis. Honestly, my initial thought was "Whoa, I hope that Sandra has what it takes to raise a child of color in America..." Here's what you had to say: K commented: "Raising a child isn't an easy thing to do for anyone regardless of color." Chanela wrote: "Sandra is a good person and she will make a wonderful mom."

For those of you who have ever wondered what's it's like to live with a manipulative psychopath and want to witness their uncanny ability to weave a web of deceit, blame and deception in their family and remain teflon (nothing sticks), watch Mo'Nique's brother Gerald Imes on the Oprah Show yesterday. Incredibly, Mo'Nique's family defended the pathetic actions of Gerald simply by seeming outraged and confused at Mo'Nique's putting the family's business out in public. Here are the facts: From the ages of 7 to 11, Mo'Nique was sexually abused by her older brother, Gerald... Related stories: "Precious" Star Mo'Nique Talks Abuse In ESSENCEIncest In Our Community...Can We Talk?Here's what you had to say: Tina commented: "I understand how her parents could feel betrayed and hurt, but talking about the molestation is Mo'Nique's way of healing." Linda wrote: "[Sexual abuse is] something you never get over. For the abuser to say, let's be friends - [that's] not happening. I'm glad that she put him on blast and had the courage to say she wanted him out of her life!"

Returning home at 3 a.m. after a blissful night of celebrating their engagement with friends and family, a young couple was brutally murdered on the streets of New Jersey. Now instead of planning a wedding, two families are mournfully, confusingly putting together two funerals. The couple's names were Nia and Michael. College graduates and good people, who found themselves confronted by armed thugs who probably never knew or felt the love that they snuffed out when they committed the cold-blooded murder of this young couple. Was it jealousy or a love triangle gone wrong? No. The police presume that the motive was car-jacking and robbery. Ridiculous. Read More: Exclusive: Friend of Slain NJ Couple Shares PhotosCommentary: Who Is To Blame For Raped 7-Year Old 

Infidelity, sadly is not a new or novel event within the course of a marriage. It is estimated that anywhere from 40 to 50 percent of men will cheat, and 23 to 30 percent of women will stray as well. Cheating can implode a marriage, destroy families and stamp out trust which is a cornerstone of a stable marriage. It is unlikely that most of us become adults without having had at least one experience of being betrayed in a relationship. It hurts. For most folks, the pain of either causing or being the recipient of heart-wrenching actions teaches emotional lessons that inform how we should act to avoid being hurt or hurting others. Some folks clearly don't get memo and can't stop or just won't stop acting in selfish, destructive ways... For more "Real Talk" from Dr Janet Taylor, click here. Read More: Living & Loving a Sex Addict: Curbing Her InfidelityIt's a Man's World: Monogamy vs. Faithfulness Commentary: Tiger Woods Addiction or Human Nature?

Tiger Woods' statement continues to be debated by men and women. Some say he wasn't contrite enough, too stiff and did not appear sincere. Other folks state that they are simply weary of the topic. Common comments are: Men will be men, they cheat. Let his wife Elin deal with it. Just get him back out on the greens... Read more: For more Dr. Janet's "Real Talk" stories, click here.Tiger Woods: "I Was Unfaithful, I Had Affairs, I Cheated"What Happens To Tiger Woods Post-Press Conference?

Are we focusing way to much attention on the John Mayer scandal? ESSENCE.com blogger Dr. Janet Taylor shares her thoughts on his recent comments about Black women and what we should really be focusing on. Read More: Dr. Janet's "Real Talk" blogPlayboy Writer Defends John MayerHolly Robinson-Peete Rethinks John Mayer Comments

Every year almost 7 out of 10 folks will pledge, state, shout or write down their intention to make a change in their life as January 1 rolls around. Guess how many follow-though and  actually complete their goal? In most cases, it's less than fifteen percent. No worries, lifestyle expert Dr. Janet gives you tips on how to keep your New Year's resolutions. You really can do it!

Are you forever fretting or second guessing yourself? Does guilt over take your day? Relationship expert, Dr. Janet shares how we can start loving ourselves more. She gives seven easy steps to follow for 2010.

If the official Tiger Woods fantasy female count gets any higher or any trashier, most people wouldn't bat an eye. The initial shock at his complete disrespect of his marriage vows, role-model status, and "I know your mother and father raised you better" behavior has many people asking one question: Why?

Linking  White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers and 'cheetah' Tiger Woods in a recent New York Times op-ed is ridiculous. Columnist Maureen Dowd launched a scathing, condescending verbal battle that accused Desiree of "being goofy" and "looking weaker" because she couldn't accept blame for her brand. Tiger deserves scrutiny and criticism as he attempts to sort out his personal life. Enough has been said, implied and parodied.

Okay, so Oprah, reportedly paid her mother's ridiculous clothing bill. What's the big deal? Some folks feel like Oprah should have automatically shelled out close to one-hundred and fifty thousand dollars just because she has it in her billionaire bank account. Others believe that it was her mother's responsibility to settle her own debt. The truth probably lies somewhere in between and honestly the deal should be private between the parties involved. The situation does highlight the difficult relationship between mothers and their daughters, a stormy course for most of us at one point during our upbringing. Daughter's act out and mother's act out in estrogen-fueled ways. Thankfully, most daughters regain their senses during the late teenage years. Most mothers become cool again around the same time.  Coincidence? Probably not.