GCSE Religious Studies: Relationships and Families

Relationships and families is one of the ethical themes in the DfE subject content for GCSE Religious Studies (for example, Theme A in AQA's specification). This material works through the whole theme, from sexuality and contraception to marriage, divorce, family life and gender equality, comparing Christianity with Islam and with humanist views.

On sexuality you learn how Christian churches differ: the Catholic distinction between orientation and sexual acts, the range of views in the Church of England and the churches that conduct same-sex weddings, alongside Muslim teaching and the humanist emphasis on consent and respect. You also meet the scripture most often used about sex before and outside marriage.

On contraception you compare the Catholic teaching of Humanae Vitae, which allows only natural family planning, with the acceptance of artificial contraception by most Protestant churches and the conditions many Muslims attach to it.

Marriage and divorce form the core of the theme. You learn the purposes of Christian marriage, the law on same-sex marriage in England and Wales, why the Catholic Church distinguishes between a civil divorce and an annulment, how the Church of England allows remarriage at a priest's discretion, and how divorce works in Islam, including talaq and the waiting period (iddah). You practise weighing the sanctity of vows against compassion.

The final part covers families and gender: types and purposes of families, duties of parents and children, polygamy in the Qur'an and in UK law, texts used to argue for equality, the ordination of women in the Church of England and the Catholic Church, and examples of gender prejudice and discrimination.

The material offers a quiz with explanations for every answer, flashcards for the key terms, a printable written sheet of explain-and-evaluate tasks with reference answers, and an oral practice exam in which the examiner asks one question at a time and gives brief feedback at the end.

Views are presented accurately and neutrally, including the real disagreements within each religion. Use the material to learn who believes what and why, and to practise giving reasons on both sides of a statement before reaching a justified conclusion.

• Explain contrasting Christian, Muslim and humanist views on sexual relationships and contraception
• Explain the purposes of marriage and describe the law on same-sex marriage in England and Wales
• Compare Catholic, Anglican and Muslim teaching on divorce and remarriage
• Describe types and purposes of families and the duties of parents and children
• Explain religious teaching on gender equality and the ordination of women
• Evaluate statements about marriage, divorce and families with a justified conclusion

Practice material written by Zestly, based on the DfE GCSE religious studies subject content (theme: relationships and families) and, for example, AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) Theme A.