Marriage and Family Life

Question 1

How attitudes to Marriage and Family Life have changed

Answer 1

1. Average marriage age has increased
2. Massive increase in divorces
3. Rapid increase in reconstituted marriages
4. Homosexual people treated as equal and gay marriage is now legal (since 2013)

Question 2

Why attitudes to Marriage and Family Life have changed

Answer 2

1. Far less stigma attatched to being unmarried; increased + better contraception means fewer shotgun marriages
2. Divorce Reform Act 1969; women no longer dependent on husbands
3. Divorce more common; society accepts single parents
4. Changing law means easier to come out; openly gay celebrities led to greater acceptance; work of pride organisations

Question 3

Purpose of marriage (+ how shown in ceremony)

Answer 3

1. Sacrament (prayers, presence of priest)
2. Permanent (“Will you love and honour eachother for life?”)
3. Exclusive (ring blessing “sign of your love and fidelity”)
4. Life-giving (“Will you accept children lovingly from God?)

Question 4

Why family is important

Answer 4

1. As learn in Ephesians 6:1-3, family is a training ground for both children and parents
2. As written in Genesis, family comes from and is blessed by God
3. As written in Deuteronomy, family keeps the community’s faith alive
4. “Family is the original cell of social life” where we learn how to properly behave