The 'family' is under threat in Western society. Apart from the alarming rate of family breakdown, many families struggle to sort through the mixed signals they receive from society about balancing the demands of work and the value of child-raising. Debate is also raging over how 'family' should be defined, not only with respect to same-sex marriage, but also in light of the new possibilities that reproductive technology brings.

With historical, moral and spiritual arguments, Dr Birkett brings much needed clarity to these issues.