This informative book examines the issues surrounding the process of forming the marriage bond such as courtship, the early years of marriage, and specifically, the events that must happen for successful bonding to take place. This book is designed for couples planning to marry, for parents who are struggling to stay close to their children while staying out of the wedding plans, and for clergy who work with couples preparing for marriage. The Family Living in Pastoral Perspective series examines crucial times in family life in light of the family as a social unit. Each book addresses major changes that ordinarily occur in the life cycle of a family. Each volume takes into account family system theory and social and economic factors that affect the family.