Diocesan Resources
The Person, the Family, and Fundamental Choices by Msgr. James T. McHugh (1983)
The Person, the Family, and Fundamental Choices by Msgr. James T. McHugh, S.T.D.D.
Commenting on the status of marriage in the United States today Sar Levitan recently noted that "despite the turbulence of the last two decades, repeated survey research shows that Americans now place top priority on family life and marriage as critical aspects of personal development and happiness." Perhaps this signals a slowing down of the debate about the changing nature of marriage, and a beginning of more realistic expectations in regard to its future functioning and stability. However, marriage is seen today primarily in terms of relationship, and for purposes of this article, it can be described as a process of fundamental choices by a man and a woman fully committed to a mutual and permanent sharing of their lives. Essentially these choices or decisions reflect the values of the two persons involved, their interpersonal relationship and the family life they share with their children and others-extended family, neighbors and friends.