THE ROLE of liberal democratic governments in the private sphere is changing, and contemporary social policies increasingly involve questions about what constitutes appropriate intervention in complex, personal matters. This is evident in political measures that have been introduced to tackle two major problems: obesity and changing family relationships. First, the federal government Is developing a series of campaigns designed to encourage people to take greater responsibility for their physical well-being through strategies such as healthy eating and fitness. Second, going beyond its traditional role of regulating marriage as a legal institution, the government has also shown interest in facilitating marriage. Governments are attempting to develop education programs that promote and strengthen people's emotional well-being in different phases of their relationships.