Focus on the Family

Media Utilization

With Christ and the Bible as its foundation, Focus on the Family strives to teach about the importance of its view of the family unit by providing an array of resources. According to the Focus on the Family Website, its “ministry is therefore based upon six guiding philosophies that are apparent at every level throughout the organization. These “pillars” are drawn from the wisdom of the Bible and the Judeo-Christian ethic, rather than from the humanistic notions of today's theorists.” These guiding philosophies include: the preeminence of evangelism, the permanence of marriage, the value of children, the sanctity of human life, and the importance of social responsibility.

Radio broadcasts, which range from 15 to 30 minute time slots, include topics such as living by Christian example, effective parenting with children of all ages, marital relationships, sexuality, infidelity, healthy living, depression, finances, and weight loss. To enhance its ministry, Focus on the Family also publishes magazines for all age groups such as Clubhouse, Clubhouse Jr., Thriving Family, and Citizen magazines.

Other Rescources of Communication

The Focus on the Family Website includes many other resources that communicate its mission. Topics include relationship and marriage, addressing issues such as finances, conflict, marriage challenges, and reviving marriages. The parenting link includes issues such as helping kids grow spiritually, dealing with teens, relationships, and education. The faith link includes the group's definition of what it means to be a Christian and to live one's faith, and the study of God. The entertainment link offers its supporters information regarding children's exposure to media. This includes articles and movie reviews to orient parents on the pros and cons of popular culture outlets, from prime time programming to popular movies.

The life challenges section of the Website addresses emotional issues, addiction, abuse, life transitions, love, sex, and support for dealing with death, grief, pain, and depression. The social issues link addresses issues involving abstinence, bioethics, the sanctity of life, education, gambling, the law and the courts, pornography, and sexual identity. Their midlife and beyond resources offers support in areas such as the empty nest syndrome, parenting adult children, staying happily married once the kids leave home, grandparenting, and dealing with a midlife crisis.

Focus on the Family is one of the largest Christian organizations in the United States. In its attempt to conserve what it perceives as traditional values and the structure of the family, Focus on the Family supports the Defense of Marriage Act, and is opposed to same-sex marriage. It also opposes homosexuality and offer conferences for those who struggle with “such tendencies.” In essence, these conferences are designed to teach individuals that homosexuality is preventable and can be treated. Focus on the Family's controversial position is that the inability for gays to change their sexual orientation calls for sexual abstinence.

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