Nature and purpose of families

• nuclear family


  A couple and their children regarded as a basic social unit
• Stepfamily


  a family in which at least one partner has children from a previous marriage
• Extended family


  A family that extends beyond just parents and their children by including grandparents etc
• Polygramy


  The practice of having more than one wife at a time
• Bigamy


  the act of entering into marriage while still married to another person
• Procreation


  Making a new life
• stability


  Safety and security for the family
• 2 beliefs about the nature of families

  For Christians, love is at the heart of all relationships, they place a very high value on family life because it's in a family that a child learns to love. For instance, the CofE teaches that families should be

  able to offer each of their members commitment, fun, love, companionship, and security.

  The ideal of family in Christianity is based on the Biblical/Gospel values. Christians talk about God as the Father - modelling the parent, child relationship with God and Jesus and God and humanity.
• Beliefs about the purpose of marriage

  Reproduction/procreation-Many Christians believe that the family is the main building block of any society and it is whereprocreation chiefly takes place and where the basic needs of children are provided.Education of children -Christian parents are expected to be good role models for their children and to teach them moral values. Many Christian parents will nurture the spiritual lives of their children and make daily prayers part of the family routine.Protect and provide for children-the Apostle Paul makes it clear that it is worse to not provide for one’s family than to not believe inGod. This shows that the purpose of a family for man
• 2 arguments in favour of same-sex parenting

  The bible is understood to say that the man would have been seen as head of the household and his wife was subordinate to him - a stark contrast to the world we live in today. Quakers and the Methodist Church have recognised same-sex marriage. They argue that the

  Bible says nothing about loving, monogamous same-sex relationships. 'One flesh' is a metaphor for commitment - the nature of relationship is more important than the gender of those involved.

  
  

  Quakers argue that rejecting people on the grounds of their sexual orientation is a denial of God's creation. They employ situation ethics and argue that the most loving thing to do is to let people of

  the same-sex raise children together. It is more important for children to be in a secure and loving family regardless of the gender of their parents.
• 2 arguments against same- sex parenting

  Some christians disagree with same sex parenting. For example, the Holy Family of Nazareth constitutes Mary, Joseph, and Jesus and so those proponents stick to the traditional gospel/biblical values.

  Nature has made it that only one man and one woman can procreate as opposed to same-sex couples. Exodus also states 'honour your mother and father' - a clear indication that everybody should have a

  mother (feminine) and a father (masculine) - the need for gender complementarity.
• Quote on purpose of marriage

  The Bible says, "a man is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." Christians believe that the purpose of marriage is procreation.
• Quote of instruction to do to your parents

  The Bible says, "honour your parents." This is important for Christians as it is a divine instruction from God that should not be broken.
• Quote on homosexual acts being bad

  The Bible says, 'You shall not lie with a male... it is repulsive.' Roman Catholics believe this means homosexual acts are unnatural and a sin.
• Quote on not judging people with their relationships

  The Bible says, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek... you are all one in Jesus.' Many Christians believe all humans are equal regardless of gender, sexual orientation etc. Therefore, we should not judge others