Marriage and Family

Question 1

Why have attitudes change towards cohabitation and marriage? (4)

Answer 1

• Increasing ability of effective contraception.
• Christianity lost all its influence as fewer people went to church and so were not encouraged to refrain from sex until they married.
• Increased media publicity of celebrities who made cohabitation appear appear respectful.
• Presentation of sexual relationships outside of marriage on tv and films.

Question 2

Why have attitudes change towards divorce? (4)

Answer 2

• In 1969 new laws made divorce easier and cheaper.
• Increased equality for men and women so expectation of marriage have changed.
• Many women are financially independent and can afford a living after divorce.
• Most divorces occur within the first 10 years of marriage.

Question 3

What attitudes have changed in family life? (4)

Answer 3

• Increased in the number of cohabiting couples means more parents who are not married.
• The increase in divorce has led to an increase in remarriage.
• The extended marriage is becoming more popular as mothers are in work so relatives look after the children.
• The increase in number of divorces and acceptance by solidity of unmarried mothers has led to an increase in the number of single-parent families.

Question 4

What attitudes have changed towards homosexuality? (4)

Answer 4

• Easier to be openly homosexual and made society more aware and accepting of homosexuality.
• Medical research has shown that homosexuality is most probably genetic and so people began to accept equal status and rights for homosexuality.
• Increase openness of gay celebrities led to an greater acceptance of gay people.
• Work of organisations such as Stonewall changed people’s attitudes to homosexuality and began to accept it.

Question 5

Why do some Christian’s believe everything that sex outside of marriage is wrong?

Answer 5

• Sex was given to humans by God to bond a married couple together and for the procreation of children.
• The bible says that pre-marital sex and promiscuity is sinful and Christians should follow the teaching of the Bible.
• The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that pre-martial sex is wrong and Catholics are encourage to follow the teachings of the Church.