Year 9 Unit 3: Relationships and Families

Key Concepts of Relationships and Families

• Sexuality refers to an individual's sexual orientation and their identity regarding gender attraction.
• Adultery is defined as engaging in sexual relations with someone outside one's marriage.
• Marriage is a legal and often religious union between two individuals.
• Cohabitation involves living together and possibly starting a family without being married.
• Divorce is the legal termination of a marriage and is permissible in the UK.
• Relationships describe the connections between two or more individuals.
• Family consists of people related by blood or legal ties, regardless of living arrangements.
• Gender Discrimination involves bias against individuals based on their gender.
• Gender encompasses the social and cultural roles associated with being male, female, or other identities.
• Gender Prejudice consists of biased opinions regarding individuals based on their gender.

Religious Views on Sexuality

• Roman Catholic Perspective: Views same-gender sexual relations as 'disordered'; considers homosexual relationships prohibited by the Bible.
• Liberal Christian View: Emphasizes love and acceptance, advocating for a compassionate approach towards homosexuals.
• Catholic Church and Church of England: Both do not permit gay marriage.
• Biblical Reference: “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman” – Leviticus 18:22.

Marriage and Divorce

• Marriage Ceremony: Involves vows in front of family and, if in a church, before God, promising lifelong commitment.
• Divorce in the UK: Legal dissolution of marriage; accepted by the Church of England under certain circumstances.
• Catholic Church's Stance: Opposes divorce, viewing remarriage post-divorce as adultery.
• Christian Perspective on Divorce: Seen as violation of marriage vows; exceptions considered by some for reasons like abuse.
• Biblical Reference: “If a man divorces his wife [...] he involves her in adultery” – Matthew 5:32.

Family Types

• Nuclear Family: Comprises a mother, father, and children; considered the ideal by some Christians.
• Extended Family: Includes grandparents and other relatives for support and involvement.
• Single Parent Family: One parent is responsible for raising children.

Purpose of the Family

• Procreation: One of the primary purposes of family is to bear and raise children.
• Stability: Families provide a secure and stable environment for children.
• Faith: Families help instill values and religious beliefs in children.
• Biblical Reference: “Honour your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land...” – Exodus 20:12.

Gender Issues

• Gender Equality: Advocates for equal rights and opportunities for men and women.
• Gender Prejudice in the UK: Women may face discrimination and unequal treatment in various aspects of life.
• Role of Women in Religion: The Catholic Church believes women’s roles are primarily as mothers; it does not permit female priests.
• Church of England Progress: Allowed women to serve as priests since 1994, with the first female Bishop being Libby Lane.
• Recognition of Gender: Current UK law recognizes two genders; ongoing discussions regarding inclusivity for non-binary and LGBTQIA+ identities.

Test your knowledge of key concepts related to relationships, families, and sexuality. Covers topics such as sexual orientation, marriage, cohabitation, divorce, and more.