Family, the cradle of society, today in the whole world, is being challenged from a host of forces and that cause it to crumble. Some of the challenges are internal, and some others are external. Kerala is also no exception to this phenomenon. For the proof, one only needs to look at our news papers and TV. Almost every day the media tell us about crime, abuse, uncontrolled sexuality, poverty stricken families, neglected children, drug and alcoholic abuses, suicides, activities of militant groups, murder, theft etc.
It is important at the outset to mention that there is a mutual dependence between society and the family. Society depends much on the family and society in its turn influences the family. The economic, social, psychological and civil climate of today has a severely disturbing effect on family life (GS, 47). The famous statement of Pope John Paul II is true, that the society passes through the family (FC, 86). Here the question is whether the family is fully aware of the modern influences in it and is strong enough to withstand these influences. In this article I only point out some of the challenges which the families are facing today.