Christian Family: Love and Marriage

Offering a broad overview of the contemporary Catholic church's belief in marriage and family as the foundation of a healthy community, Christian Family: Love and Marriage stresses the importance of raising children to be well-prepared for adult independence and sexuality, while also making them aware of different kinds of people and their values through exposure to diversity. As Catholic kids grow into young adults, they should be introduced to the logic of the church's objections to cohabitation and premarital sex (although the program also advises against entering into marriage strictly from family pressure or other extraneous obligations). Long engagements are recommended as a means of heading off potential problems after vows are taken. Within marriage, the church advocates “natural family planning,” fidelity, and permanent relationships, but forbids abortion (everyone should be who God intended, including the unborn). A solid religious guidance program aimed directly at Catholic viewers, this is recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)