Transcript MARRIAGE & THE FAMILY

MARRIAGE & THE FAMILY
UNIT 3

CHANGING ATTITUDES TO MARRIAGE, DIVORCE,
FAMILY LIFE & HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE UK
CHANGES
REASONS
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Most people have sex before
they get married
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Increased availability of
contraception
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It is socially acceptable to live
together before you get married
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Media – made cohabitation appear
respectable & sex outside marriage
as a norm
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People are getting married when
they are older
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Divorce became easier and cheaper
to attain
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Divorce has increased – so has
single parent families
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Women craved equality
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Homosexuality – society is more
aware & accepting
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Openness of gay celebrities has led
to acceptance
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Re-constitued familes have
increases
Civil partnerships are legal
Sex should only
take place
between a man
and woman who
are married to
each other.
Sex was given by God to
bond a married couple
and for procreation of
children.
Bible – pre-marital sex &
promiscuity = sin
All Christians are against
adultery as it breaks the
wedding vows – being faithful
to each other.
Adultery – one of the 10
commandments.
Some Christians accept couples
living together before marriage –
but they would expect them to
marry & have a family.
CHRISTIAN VIEWS – SEX OUTSIDE
MARRIAGE
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PURPOSES OF MARRIAGE
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Life long relationship of love &
faithfulness
So a couple can support & comfort
each other
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Exchange of rings – everlasting
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Vows – commitment forever
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Priest – marriage is a sacrament
which cannot be broken
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Readings – life long relationship
&faithfulness
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Priest – asks the couple If they will
accept children lovingly from God
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Preparation course – couple are told
how to support their children
through the sacraments
Procreation of children
Bringing up a Christian family
CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES TO DIVORCE
CATHOLIC
•Does not allow
divorce
•Marriage can be
annulled (reasons –
forced, didn’t mean
the vows etc)
•Jesus taught divorce
is wrong
•Marriage is a
sacrament & promise
made with God
OTHER CHRISTIAN
VIEWS
•Divorce is wrong but
will allow divorce if
marriage has broken
down
•Jesus allowed divorce
for a partner’s adultery
•Christians are allowed
forgiveness
•It is better to divorce
than to live in hatred.
One of main purposes
of marriage is to have
children & bring them
up in a loving family
environment.
Family was created by
God as a basic unit of
society.
Catholic teaching on divorce
makes it clear that parents
should stay together and
bring up their children
Family is the place where
children learn difference
between right & wrong.
Family introduces
children to the
sacraments
Children are expected to care for
their parents when they are
unable to care for themselves.
WHY FAMILY LIFE IS IMPORTANT TO 
CATHOLICS
Primary & secondary
schools
Run classes
to help
prepare
children for
the
sacraments
Children’s liturgy (Little
Church) - allow children to
learn about Jesus and God,
while parents are in Mass.
Youth clubs or
youth activities
that keep
children off
the streets &
help with their
moral
upbringing.
HOW CATHOLIC PARISHES HELP
WITH UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN
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How Parishes help keep families together
 During Mass parents are reminded of their
marriage vows
 Parish Priest can give help & advice
 Parishes try and be family friendly – offering
specific activities that families can do together &
meet other families
 May help with specific problems such as financial
issues – Charities (Catholic Marriage Care)
HOMOSEXUALITY – CHRISTIAN VIEWS
CATHOLIC VIEW
•Bible says it is wrong
•People cannot help their
sexuality so discriminating
against them is wrong
•It is the homosexual
practice that is wrong
•Bible teaches everyone
has human dignity as they
are all made in the image
of God
•Homosexuals should
remain celibate (without
sexual activity)
SOME OTHER CHRISTIAN
VIEWS
•Major Christian belief is
love & acceptance – this
should include homosexuals
•Everyone is equal
•Inspiration comes from the
Holy Spirit as well as the
Bible – if Christians feel the
Spirit approves of their
homosexuality, it should not
be denied
CONTRACEPTION
NATURAL CONTRACEPTION – rhythm method –
working out when during the month the woman is
at her most infertile time.
Natural methods do not involve ‘using’ anything.
PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO
CONTROL THE SIZE OF THEIR
FAMILIES FOR YEARS:
•HEALTH OF THE MOTHER
•PROVIDE MORE FOOD FOR
THEFAMILY
•PROVIDE A BETTER STANDARD
OF LIVING
ARTIFICIAL CONTRACEPTION – Examples =
condom, pill, coil, cap etc.
Artificial contraception involves ‘using’ something
that will act as a barrier to stop the sperm finding
an egg or stop the woman from producing eggs.
Some affect the woman’s body and some such as
the condom, are effective in preventing the spread
of STIs.
CHRISTIAN VIEWS - CONTRACEPTION
CATHOLIC VIEW
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OTHER CHRISTIAN VIEWS
Sex is a gift from God given to
us to have children
 Contraception is ok to
Artificial methods go against
God’s plan for humans
 Contraception improves
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Pope Pius XI condemned all
forms of artificial contraception
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In 1968 Pope Paul Vi said
natural forms are allowed
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Contraception leads to
promiscuity, broken homes and
rise in divorce and STIs
restrict the size of a family
women’s health & raises the
standard of living for families
 God created sex to bond a
married couple – a couple
should be able to do this
without making children
each time
MEDIA
 You need to select a TV prog, soap or film that is
connected to sex outside marriage, divorce, remarriage, family life, homosexuality or
contraception
 Why the issue is important
 How it was presented
 Whether it was fair to religious beliefs
 Whether it was fair to religious people