There are three main ethical theories of family. Natural Law says that our human nature is to unite in marriage with a person of the opposite sex for the purpose of having and rearing children.

Popular culture usually represents love in physical or sexual terms; our society has been “liberated” in that premarital sex (and in some cases even adultery) are largely tolerated in practice and in law.

Most people think it's wrong to lie, but sometimes telling the truth seems more hurtful than lying. Secrecy protects the truth and maintains our privacy, but it also can be a way of covering up lies.

Ownership has long been a basic principle of western society. Yet during the last century, property rights have been increasingly curbed by courts and legislatures, as they grapple with collective vs. individual control of physical and human assets.

Punishment involved authority and the exercise of power by one of more humans over another, usually to preserve order and security.

Moral problems are unique to humans, and moral awareness is a fundamental aspect of the human experience.

Human history displays recurrent conflicts between nations, cultures, races, religions, and classes; even men and women with similar cultural backgrounds often find it difficult to understand each other.