Thematic Studies: Relationships and Families

What you'll learn

This revision guide covers the AQA GCSE Religious Studies Thematic Studies specification on Relationships and Families. You'll explore Christian and Muslim beliefs about human sexuality, marriage, family life, gender roles, and sexual relationships. This topic examines both traditional teachings and contemporary debates, requiring you to analyse contrasting religious and non-religious viewpoints.

Key terms and definitions

Cohabitation — Living together in a sexual relationship without being married.

Nuclear family — A family unit consisting of two parents and their children living together in one household.

Adultery — A sexual relationship between a married person and someone who is not their spouse; prohibited in all Christian and Muslim teachings.

Annulment — A declaration by the Church that a marriage was never valid in the first place, meaning it never truly existed in God's eyes.

Celibacy — The state of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations, often for religious reasons.

Procreation — The biological process of producing offspring; traditionally viewed as a primary purpose of marriage in Christianity and Islam.

Gender equality — The belief that men and women should have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities in all areas of life.

Contraception — Methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy occurring as a result of sexual intercourse.

Core concepts

Christian attitudes to sex, marriage and cohabitation

Christianity traditionally teaches that sex should only occur within marriage between a man and a woman. This view is based on biblical passages such as "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife" (Genesis 2:24).

Catholic teaching:

• Sex has two purposes: procreation (creating new life) and unification (bonding the couple together)
• All sex outside marriage is sinful
• Cohabitation is not accepted as it involves sex before or outside marriage
• Marriage is a sacrament — an outward sign of God's grace that cannot be broken

Protestant teaching:

• Most denominations agree sex should ideally be within marriage
• Some liberal Protestants accept cohabitation if the couple are committed and faithful to each other
• Marriage is important but not a sacrament; it's a covenant (binding agreement) before God
• Quakers and some Methodists emphasise the quality of the relationship over legal status

Biblical support:

• "Flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18)
• "Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure" (Hebrews 13:4)
• Jesus attended the wedding at Cana, showing marriage is blessed by God

Muslim attitudes to sex, marriage and cohabitation

Islam has clear teachings on sexual relationships, viewing marriage as essential for a stable society and the proper raising of children.

Key beliefs:

• Sex is a gift from Allah but must only occur within marriage
• Marriage is a religious duty for most Muslims; the Prophet Muhammad said "Marriage is part of my sunnah"
• Cohabitation is completely forbidden (haram) as it involves sex outside marriage, which is zina (fornication)
• The Qur'an states: "Do not go anywhere near adultery: it is an outrage, and an evil path" (Surah 17:32)

Purpose of marriage in Islam:

• To have children and raise them as Muslims
• To provide a stable, loving environment
• To avoid temptation and sin
• To fulfil half of one's faith, according to hadith

Marriage requirements:

• Both partners must freely consent
• A mahr (dowry) is given by the groom to the bride
• At least two witnesses must be present
• Polygamy is permitted for men (up to four wives) if they can treat all wives equally, though this is rare in the UK

Christian and Muslim attitudes to divorce and remarriage

Christian views on divorce:

Catholic teaching:

• Marriage is permanent and cannot be dissolved: "What God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9)
• Divorce is not recognised by the Church, though annulment may be granted if the marriage was invalid from the start
• Remarriage after divorce is not permitted while the former spouse is alive
• Divorced and remarried Catholics cannot receive Holy Communion

Protestant teaching:

• Most accept divorce as a last resort after all attempts at reconciliation have failed
• Based on Jesus's exception clause: divorce is permitted in cases of adultery (Matthew 5:32)
• The Church of England allows remarriage in church at the vicar's discretion
• Emphasis on forgiveness and new beginnings

Muslim views on divorce:

• Divorce is permitted but discouraged: "Of all things permitted, divorce is the most hated by Allah" (hadith)
• Men can divorce by pronouncing talaq three times, with a waiting period between pronouncements
• Women can request divorce through khul' or by including conditions in the marriage contract
• The Qur'an requires a waiting period (iddah) of three menstrual cycles before divorce is finalised
• Remarriage is permitted, including to the former spouse after certain conditions are met
• Islamic courts in the UK may grant religious divorces, though civil divorce is required by law

Families and gender equality

Christian views on family:

• The nuclear family is traditionally seen as the ideal, based on teachings about Adam and Eve
• Parents should raise children in the Christian faith: "Start children off on the way they should go" (Proverbs 22:6)
• Some Christians accept same-sex parents, single parents and extended families as equally valid
• The Church provides support through baptism, Sunday schools and youth groups

Christian views on gender roles:

Traditional view:

• Men are heads of the household: "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands" (Ephesians 5:22)
• Different but complementary roles for men and women
• Only men can be priests in Catholic and Orthodox churches

Liberal view:

• Gender equality is paramount; men and women are equal in God's eyes
• "There is neither...male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28)
• Women can hold all positions in the Church of England and Methodist Church
• Both parents should share childcare and household responsibilities

Muslim views on family and gender:

• The extended family is highly valued in Muslim cultures, with grandparents often living with the family
• Parents are highly respected; the Qur'an commands: "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents" (Surah 17:23)
• Mothers have special status: Muhammad taught that "Paradise lies at the feet of your mother"

Gender roles:

• Men and women are equal in worth before Allah but have different rights and responsibilities
• Men are protectors and providers: "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women" (Surah 4:34)
• Women traditionally care for the home and children, though many Muslim women work
• In many Muslim-majority countries, women have equal access to education and employment
• Inheritance and testimony laws differ between men and women in classical Islamic law

Attitudes to contraception and family planning

Christian perspectives:

Catholic position:

• All artificial contraception is forbidden as it separates sex from procreation
• Only natural family planning (monitoring fertility cycles) is permitted
• Based on the encyclical Humanae Vitae (1968) by Pope Paul VI
• Each sexual act must be open to the possibility of creating life

Protestant position:

• Most denominations accept contraception as responsible family planning
• Allows couples to space children and limit family size
• Helps prevent poverty and allows better care for existing children
• The Church of England approved contraception in 1930

Muslim perspectives:

• Contraception is generally permitted (halal) if both spouses agree
• The Prophet's companions practised withdrawal (coitus interruptus)
• Valid reasons include: spacing births, protecting the mother's health, and economic concerns
• Permanent sterilisation is generally discouraged unless medically necessary
• Emergency contraception and methods that prevent implantation are debated, with some scholars viewing them as abortion
• Abortion is generally forbidden except to save the mother's life

Same-sex relationships and homosexuality

Christian views:

Traditional/Conservative position:

• Homosexual activity is sinful, based on biblical passages including Leviticus 18:22 and Romans 1:26-27
• Marriage can only be between one man and one woman
• The Catholic Church teaches homosexual people should be celibate
• "Love the sinner, hate the sin" approach

Liberal position:

• God created people as they are, including their sexual orientation
• Biblical passages reflect historical context, not eternal moral law
• Loving, committed same-sex relationships honour God
• Some churches conduct same-sex marriages or blessings
• The Quakers, Metropolitan Community Church and some Anglican churches fully accept LGBTQ+ members

Muslim views:

• Islamic teaching from the Qur'an and hadith clearly prohibits homosexual activity
• The story of Prophet Lut (Lot) is cited as evidence: the people of Sodom were destroyed for homosexual acts
• Same-sex marriage is not recognised in Islam
• However, some progressive Muslims argue for compassion and distinguish between orientation and activity
• LGBTQ+ Muslims face significant challenges in many Muslim communities

Alternative family structures

Modern UK society includes diverse family types, and religious responses vary:

Single-parent families:

• May result from divorce, death of a spouse, or choice
• Christians and Muslims generally support single parents while preferring two-parent families where possible
• Religious communities often provide practical and emotional support

Blended/reconstituted families:

• Formed when divorced or widowed people with children remarry
• Accepted by most Protestants as a new beginning
• May be complex in Islam due to inheritance laws and step-parent relationships

Same-sex parents:

• Accepted by liberal Christians who support same-sex marriage
• Not accepted by Catholics, conservative Protestants, or Muslim teaching
• Debate centres on children's welfare and what constitutes a "proper" family

Childless couples:

• May be by choice or due to infertility
• Traditional teaching emphasises procreation as a purpose of marriage
• Modern religious thinking increasingly accepts that not all marriages will produce children
• Adoption is encouraged as an alternative

Worked examples

Example 1: 5-mark question

"Explain two religious beliefs about cohabitation. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer." [5 marks]

Model answer:

Christians believe that cohabitation is wrong because sex should only take place within marriage. The Bible teaches "Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure" (Hebrews 13:4), suggesting that sexual relationships outside marriage are impure. Therefore, Catholics and many conservative Protestants teach that couples should marry before living together. (3 marks)

Muslims also believe that cohabitation is forbidden (haram) because it involves zina (sex outside marriage). The Qur'an states "Do not go anywhere near adultery" (Surah 17:32), and cohabitation is seen as approaching this sin. Muslims believe marriage is the only acceptable context for a sexual relationship. (2 marks)

Examiner note: This answer gains full marks because it provides two distinct beliefs with development and includes specific scripture references.

Example 2: 4-mark question

"Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about divorce." [4 marks]

Model answer:

Catholics believe that divorce is not acceptable because marriage is a sacrament that creates a permanent bond. Jesus taught "What God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9), so Catholics view marriage as lasting until death. (2 marks)

However, most Protestant Christians accept divorce in certain circumstances, such as adultery or abuse. They emphasise Jesus's exception clause in Matthew 5:32 and believe in forgiveness and second chances. (2 marks)

Examiner note: The answer clearly contrasts two Christian positions with reasoning and biblical support.

Example 3: 12-mark question

"'Religious people should never use contraception.' Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Christian teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion." [12 marks]

Model answer structure:

Introduction: State that Christians have different views on contraception.

Arguments supporting the statement (3-4 points):

• Catholics believe artificial contraception separates sex from procreation
• Humanae Vitae teaches every sexual act must be open to life
• "Be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28) suggests children are a blessing
• Using contraception shows lack of trust in God's plan

Arguments against the statement (3-4 points):

• Most Protestants accept contraception as responsible family planning
• Allows couples to space children and avoid poverty
• Protects women's health from constant pregnancy
• Quality of parenting is more important than quantity of children
• The Church of England approved contraception in 1930

Evaluation/Conclusion: While Catholic teaching opposes artificial contraception, many Christians believe responsible family planning honours God by allowing parents to properly care for children. The diversity of Christian views suggests blanket statements are unhelpful. Personally, I believe contraception allows couples to make informed decisions while still fulfilling God's purpose for family life.

Examiner note: A Level 4 answer (10-12 marks) must include detailed religious teachings, reasoned arguments on both sides, and a justified personal conclusion.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing Christian denominations: Don't write "Christians believe..." when Catholics and Protestants differ significantly. Specify which tradition you're discussing (Catholic, Protestant, Church of England, etc.).

• Weak scripture references: Simply writing "the Bible says" or "it says in the Qur'an" without the specific verse gains fewer marks. Learn key quotations with references (e.g., Genesis 2:24, Surah 17:32).

• Listing without development: In 5-mark questions, two developed points score better than three undeveloped ones. Always explain why the belief is held and how it connects to the question.

• Ignoring modern contexts: Remember that many religious people live in the UK's diverse society. Acknowledge that believers interpret teachings differently in contemporary contexts.

• One-sided 12-mark answers: Even if you have strong personal views, you must present both sides fairly to access top marks. The evaluation assesses your ability to analyse different viewpoints, not just express your opinion.

• Forgetting non-religious views: Some questions ask you to compare religious and non-religious perspectives. Be prepared to discuss secular humanism, atheism, or British law (e.g., Same-Sex Marriage Act 2013, Equality Act 2010).

Exam technique for "Thematic Studies: Relationships and Families"

• Master the command words: "Outline" (1 mark) = brief point; "Explain two" (4-5 marks) = point + development + possibly scripture; "Evaluate" (12 marks) = arguments for + arguments against + justified conclusion.

• Time management for 12-mark questions: Spend 15 minutes. Use 3-4 minutes planning, 10 minutes writing, 2 minutes checking. Aim for at least one side of writing with clear paragraphs for arguments supporting and opposing the statement.

• Use the PEEL structure for evaluation questions: Point (state an argument), Evidence (use scripture or teaching), Explain (develop why this matters), Link (connect back to the question). Repeat for multiple points on each side.

• Show knowledge of diversity: Demonstrate awareness that Christians and Muslims hold varied views. Use phrases like "Traditional Muslims believe..." or "Liberal Protestants argue..." to show sophisticated understanding.

Quick revision summary

Relationships and Families explores religious teachings on sex, marriage, cohabitation, divorce, family structures, gender roles, and contraception. Catholics maintain traditional positions (no sex before marriage, no divorce, no contraception), while Protestants often adopt more flexible approaches. Islam clearly prohibits sex outside marriage and homosexual activity but permits contraception and divorce. Both religions value family life highly but interpret gender equality differently. Modern society's diversity (cohabitation, same-sex relationships, various family structures) creates ongoing debate between traditional religious teachings and contemporary practice. Success in exams requires knowing specific teachings, scripture references, and contrasting viewpoints within and between religions.