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GCSE Revision on Relationships and Families

Apr 25, 2025

GCSE Revision: Relationships and Families (AQA Paper 2)

Introduction

  • Presenter: Ben Wardle
  • Focus: Theme A for Christianity and Islam
  • Topics: Homosexuality, same-sex marriage, sex before and outside of marriage, contraception, marriage & cohabitation, divorce & remarriage, family, gender discrimination & prejudice

Key Terminology

  • Cohabitation: Living together without being married
  • Contraception: Precautions to prevent pregnancy
  • Divorce: Legal dissolution of a marriage
  • Gender discrimination/prejudice: Bias based on gender
  • Nuclear/extended/blended families: Types of family structures
  • Polygamy: Having multiple spouses

Important Quotes

  • Genesis 1:28: "Be fruitful and multiply"
  • Situation Ethics: Most loving thing in every situation
  • St. Thomas Aquinas's Five Precepts: Preservation of life, reproduction, education of children, ordering society, worship of God

Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage

  • UK Law: Legal since 2013
  • Christian Views:
    • Negative: Homosexual acts contrary to natural law (Catechism)
    • Positive: Quakers focus on relationship quality
  • Islamic Views:
    • Negative: Sinful, against God's plan
    • Inclusive mosque initiative: Diversity in practice

Sex Before and Outside of Marriage

  • Sex Before Marriage:
    • Liberal Christians: Acceptable if loving
    • Islam: Forbidden, 100 lashes (Surah 24)
  • Adultery: Universally condemned in Christianity and Islam

Contraception

  • Catholic Church: "Intrinsically evil"
  • Church of England: Acceptable within Christian principles
  • Islam: Acceptable for family planning within marriage

Marriage

  • Christian Purpose:
    • To become one flesh, procreate, sacrament
  • Islamic Purpose:
    • Procreation, support, fulfill religious duties
  • Cohabitation:
    • Opposed by Muslims/Catholic Church, accepted by Church of England if leading to marriage

Divorce and Remarriage

  • Catholic Church:
    • Divorce not allowed, marriage seen as one flesh joined by God
  • Church of England: Accepts divorce in certain circumstances
  • Islam: Divorce as a last resort, remarriage allowed

Nature and Purpose of Families

  • Types of Families:
    • Nuclear, blended, extended, single-parent, same-sex parents
  • Christian Purpose:
    • Procreation, education in faith, providing for family
  • Islamic Purpose:
    • Stability, education in faith, caring for elderly

Gender Prejudice and Discrimination

  • Positive Views:
    • Men and women spiritually equal
    • St. Paul: "There is no male and female"
    • Church of England: Women priests since 1994
  • Negative Views:
    • Traditional roles: Women homemakers, men leaders
    • Catholic Church: Women cannot be church leaders

Roles Promoting Gender Equality

  • Inclusive Mosque Initiative
  • Malala Yousafzai: Education equality
  • Church of England: Progressive inclusivity

Conclusion

  • Understanding contrasting beliefs is crucial for exams
  • Ability to present both sides in discussions is key