Families Talk About…Marriage

With the goal of helping “urban” families achieve a “happy, healthy marriage,” four ethnically-diverse couples (including one celebrating 32 anniversaries) talk about matrimony and a bit about parenting. Reminding viewers that relationships aren't perfect, the couples offer advice about trusting one's spouse, communicating honestly, forgiving, and laughing whenever possible, while also stressing the importance of keeping the relationship growing, as well as having family members and churches support the marriage. An enclosed leaflet includes suggestions for leading a group discussion following viewing. Unfortunately, the program offers nothing concrete about actually attaining these laudable goals--what do you do if your wife sleeps around or your husband spends every paycheck down at the bar? What if there's no communication, no laughter, no trust? No answers are forthcoming in this brief and blithe overview that tends to be long on generalities but short on specifics. Optional. Aud: P. (R. Reagan)