Families and Relationships Assessment

The topics you need to revise:

• Human sexuality including: heterosexual and homosexual relationships.
• Sexual relationships before and outside of marriage.
• Contraception and family planning.
• The nature and purpose of marriage.
• Same-sex marriage and cohabitation.
• Divorce, including reasons for divorce, and remarrying.
• Ethical arguments related to divorce, including those based on the sanctity of marriage vows and compassion.
• The nature of families, including: the role of parents and children 
  • extended families and the nuclear family.
• The purpose of families, including:procreation
  • stability and the protection of children
  • educating children in a faith.
• Contemporary family issues including:
  same-sex parents
  polygamy.
• The roles of men and women.
• Gender equality.
• Gender prejudice and discrimination, including examples.

Keywords you need to know:

Cohabitation – A couple living together without being married/in civil partnership.

Compassion – Sympathy and concern for the suffering of others.

Contraception – Precautions taken to prevent pregnancy and to protect against contracting or transmitting STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

Divorce – Legal ending of a marriage.

Extended family – Family unit comprising two parents and their children, but also grandparents, cousins etc.

Family planning – Planning when to have a family and how big a family to have by use of birth control practices and/or contraception.

Gender discrimination – Acting on prejudices against someone because of their gender.

Gender equality – Belief that all genders have equal status and value, so discrimination against any is wrong.

Gender prejudice – Negative thoughts, feelings or beliefs about a person or group based on their gender.

Heterosexuality – Being physically/sexually attracted to persons of the opposite gender.

Homosexuality – Being physically/sexually attracted to persons of the same gender.

Nuclear family – Family unit made up of two parents and their child(ren).

Polygamy – The practice of having multiple spouses (wives and/or husbands).

Procreation – Having a child; seen as a duty in many religions.

Remarriage – Marriage for the second time, after divorce ending an earlier marriage.

Vows – Promises made during a marriage ceremony.

Practice questions:

Sexuality

• Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about human sexuality. (4)

Homosexuality

• Give two religious beliefs about homosexuality. (2)
• Give two religious beliefs about same-sex marriage . (2)
• Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about homosexual relationships. (4)
• Explain two religious beliefs about same-sex marriage. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• The love and care parents show in bringing up their children is all that matters; the sex of the parents is unimportant. Evaluate this statement. (12)
• Marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman. Evaluate this statement. (12)
• Children should grow up in a loving, secure family whatever the gender of their parents. Evaluate this statement. (12)

Contraception

• Give two religious beliefs about the use of contraception. (2)
• Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about contraception. In your answer you must refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious traditions. (4)
• Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about family planning. (4)
• Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about married couples using contraception. In your answer you must refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious traditions. (4)
• Explain two religious beliefs about the use of contraception in a marriage. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• Explain two religious beliefs about contraception. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• It is wrong for religious couples to use artificial contraception within marriage. Evaluate this statement. (12)
• Religious authorities should not preach about family planning. Evaluate this statement. (12)

Sex outside of marriage

• Give two religious beliefs about cohabitation. (2)
• Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society to sex before marriage. In your answer you must refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious traditions. (4)
• Explain two contrasting beliefs in British society today about promiscuity.(4)
• Explain two religious beliefs about adultery. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• It is not always wrong to have sex before marriage. Evaluate this statement. (12)

Marriage

• Give two religious beliefs about remarriage. (2)
• Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about remarriage. In your answer you must refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious traditions. (4)
• Explain two religious beliefs about the nature of marriage. Refer to scripture in your answer. (5)
• Ceremonies for remarriage should not be allowed in places of worship. Evaluate this statement. (12)
• Marriage ceremonies are out of date nowadays. Evaluate this statement. (12)
• Marriage is the proper place to enjoy a sexual relationship. Evaluate this statement. (12)
• Ceremonies for remarriage should not be allowed in places of worship. Evaluate this statement. (12)
• Marriage gives more stability to society than cohabitation. Evaluate this statement. (12) 
• The most important purpose of marriage is to have children. Evaluate this statement. (12) 

Divorce

• Give two reasons people divorce. (2)
• Give two religious attitudes about divorce. (2)
• Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about divorce. (4)
• Explain two religious beliefs about divorce. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• A vow should never be broken so divorces should not be allowed. Evaluate this statement. (12)

Nature/Purpose of families

• Give two religious reasons for having children. (2)
• Name two types of family. (2)
• Give two religious beliefs about the nature of the family. (2)
• Give two religious reasons about the significance of procreation. (2)
• Explain two contrasting beliefs in cotemporary British society today about the nuclear family model. In your answer you must refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious traditions. (4)
• Explain two similar religious beliefs about the purpose of families. (4)
• Explain two religious beliefs about the role of parents in a religious family. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• Explain two religious beliefs about the role of children in a religious family. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• Explain two religious beliefs about the nature of marriage. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• Explain two religious beliefs about the role of parents in a religious relationship. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• Explain two religious beliefs about children’s responsibilities towards their parents. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• Explain two religious beliefs about non-traditional families. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• Families should do more for their elderly relatives in Britain today. Evaluate this statement. (12)
• The most important purpose of a family is to educate children within a faith. Evaluate this statement. (12)

Equality

• Give two religious beliefs about women’s roles. (2)
• Give two religious beliefs about gender equality. (2)
• Give two religious beliefs that show gender discrimination is wrong. (2)
• Explain two religious beliefs about gender equality. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• Explain two religious beliefs about the roles of men and women in society today. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
• Religious believers should never be sexist . Evaluate this statement. (12)
• Men and women do not have equal rights. Evaluate this statement. (12)
• Women as well as men should be able to be leaders in their religion. Evaluate this statement. (12)