The Purpose of Families (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

The Purpose of Families

The Purpose of Families

• The nature of families has changed, but the family is still the main building block of any society

• Whether religious or non-religious, a family has several purposes

  • It is where procreation takes place

  • It creates stability for all of its members, especially children

  • A very important purpose of the family is the protection of children (keeping them safe from harm)

• For religious families, such as Christian and Muslim families, an important purpose of the family is educating children in their faith (bringing them up according to the religious belief of the parents) and making sure they learn right from wrong

Christianity & The Purpose of Families

Christian Teaching About the Purpose of Families

• The idea of family is central to Christian beliefs about God

  • In the Trinity, God is seen as the Father and Jesus as the son, with all of humankind his children

  • God created all human life and cares for it like a parent

• The family is very important as a place of love and stability

  • The family reflects Christ’s loving relationship with the Church

• The family is a place where people learn to live as part of a community

  • Parents teach their children right from wrong and how to get along with other people

• Within a Christian family, children are seen as a gift from God

• Christian parents have many responsibilities to their children

  • Parents must uphold and respect the dignity of their children

• Parents have a responsibility to be good role models and teach moral values

  • Parents must make sure that children learn about their faith

  • Parents should teach their children to worship

    • Some parents send their children to faith schools or to groups run by their local church to make sure they have a good education in their faith

• Christian children have responsibilities towards their parents

  • They must love, obey and respect their parents for all they have done to help them grow into responsible adults

Islam & The Purpose of Families

Muslim Teaching About the Purpose of Families

• Family life is central to Islam

• Its purpose is to provide stability to its members

  • The Qur’an describes married people as ‘guarded’ and ‘protected’ people

  • This means that their relationship protects them from loneliness, sin, and danger

  • This protection is for all members of the family, including the extended family

• Muslims have a duty to care for all members of their family, including elderly parents

  • The family is a place where this care for older family members can happen

  • Many Muslims would prefer to care for their elderly parents themselves within their home, rather than putting them in a care home

  • This is seen as an honour and a way to repay them for their childhood

• Muslims see children as a gift from God

• Parents have responsibilities to their children

  • Parents have a duty to raise their children to be good Muslims

  • They have a responsibility to teach them how to pray and how to follow Muslim values

  • Some parents send their children to faith schools or to groups run by their local mosque to make sure they have a good education in their faith