This document provides an overview of Catholic, other Christian, and non-religious views on relationships, families, and equality. It discusses views on marriage, sexual relationships, family types, contraception, divorce, and the roles of men and women. The Catholic view generally promotes life-long marriage between a man and woman, sees the family as created by God, and does not allow women's ordination. Other Christian and non-religious views are more varied, with some accepting same-sex relationships or contraception and others closer to Catholic teaching.

1. Paper 3: Unit
2
Relationships and Families
Topics
Marriage
Sexual Relationships
Family
Support for the Family
Divorce / remarriage and
annulment
Equality
Prejudice and discrimination

2. Catholic view Other Christian Non-religious
Atheist /
humanist
• Sacrament
• Life long
• Only
between a
man /
women
• Some
Christians
allow same
sex
• Marriage is
important
• Can be a civil
ceremony
• Same sex
• Up to the
couple /
other ways
to show
commitment
The joining together of 2 people (man and women)
More expensive, cohabitation instead, other ways to commit
Purpose Shown in the ceremony
Loving – relationship of love
/ place for sex
Rings / blessings
Lifelong – support and
comfort for life
Vows – in sickness and in
health…
Exclusive – Commitment to
one partner
Vows – in sickness and in
health…
Fruitful – Open to have
children
Asked if they will accept
children
• Established by God
• Creation in Genesis
(Adam and Eve)
• St Paul – everlasting love

3. Less people getting married, more
cohabitating, more acceptable
Catholic view Other
Christian
Non / religious
/Atheist /
humanist
Catholic
response to
non religious
• Only within
marriage
• Main
purpose to
procreate
• Intend to
get married
• Show your
love
• Same sex
• Acceptable
• Consensual
• 50% of 17
yr olds have
had sex
• 47.5%
babies born
outside of
marriage
• Not
acceptable
• All forms of
artificial
contracepti
on wring
• Should be
faithful
• Same sex
not allowed
Type
Premarital Sex before marriage
Cohabitation Living together without
being married, having a
sexual relationship
Same - Sex Sex between two men or
women
Extramarital
Sex
Sex outside of marriage -
adultery
• CCC – sex is a ‘joy and
pleasure’

4. Type
Nuclear Two married parents and
their children
Single parent One parent family
Same – Sex Two men / two women as
parents
Extended Grandparents etc living in
one unit
Blended Step children / children
from previous marriages
• Created by God
• CCC ‘domestic church’
Purpose of the family
Basic unit of society
Created by God (Genesis / Jesus’ family)
Place for children to be brought up (this is
a vocation)
Taught right / wrong
Taught about God / faith and prayer
Support / identity
Sign of Christ’s love on earth

5. • Created by God
• CCC ‘domestic church’
• Part of the larger Church family
Family Worship
* Attend Mass
* Sunday school
Children Groups
* Scouts / Guides
* Mother and toddler
groups
Classes
* For baptism / Holy
communion
* Marriage
Counselling
* Marriage care
* Free help
Family Group
Movement
* Friendship groups
* Low cost activities

6. More accessible, free, more acceptable
Catholic view Other Christian Atheist / humanist
• Morally wrong
• Purpose of sex is to
procreate
• Can encourage sex
outside of marriage
• Contradicts the will of
God
• Not a sin
• Helps you plan
• Protects
• Long term loving
relationship
• Acceptable
• Helps you be a
responsible parent
parent
• Protection
• Helps you plan
Catholics:
Artificial forms (Condom etc.) – UNACCEPTABLE
Natural forms – Rhythm Method - ACCEPTABLE

7. Legal ending of a marriage
Cheaper, 1969 Divorce reform act, Prince Charles, easier, more acceptable
Catholic view Other Christian Non-religious
Atheist / humanist
• Unacceptable
• Morally wrong
• Marriage is a
Sacrament and
life long so cant
be broken
• Church offers
support if
needed
• Necessary to
end if its affects
children
• Some allow
• Lesser of the two
evils
• Jesus allowed it
for adultery
• Marriage isn’t
sacred so can be
broken
• Everyone
deserves a
second chance
• No objections
• Abuse etc
Annulment Marriage was never valid.
Can get remarried in a CC
Remarriage One or both partners
getting married after a
previous marriage. Not
allowed in the CC unless
partner has died

8. Men and women have equal roles in the
family and society
Catholic view Other Christian Non-religious
Atheist / humanist
At home
• Equal roles
• Both have to commit
• Either can go to work or
stay at home
• CCC ‘natural society’
(family)
• Adam and Eve both
created in God’s image
• Eve created from Adam
• Equal roles
• Both have to commit
• Either can go to work or
stay at home
• Equal roles
• Both have to commit
• Either can go to work or
stay at home
Church
• Different roles
• Men and women can
give the Eucharistic
• Men and women can
teach
• ONLY MEN CAN BE
ORDAINED (Jesus,
Apostolic succession)
• Equal and same roles
• Women can be ordained
N / A

9. Treating people inferior / superior
Women being ordained
Catholic view Other Christian
• NOT ALLOWED
• Jesus was a man
• Jesus’ disciples
were male
• Apostolic
succession
• Can have other
active roles
• Allow
• C of E 1994 and
Bishop in 2014
‘No difference
between Jews
or Gentiles’
(Galatians)
Means there is no
difference between people
Women should
learn in silence
(1 Corinthians
14)
Men and women might not
be equal in the Church
Idea that people are inferior /
superior
• Jesus – Treat others…
• Jesus appears to women
first