Contemporary family issues: Polygamy
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how polygamy is viewed around the world, and religious teachings and views on it.
Key learning points
- Polygamous marriages are legal in some countries but not recognised by law in the UK
- Christian teachings support monogamy and mainstream denominations do not allow polygamy
- Islam teaches that polygamy (polygyny) is allowed, up to four wives, if wives are treated fairly
- There are different reasons why people might practise polygamy including social and economic benefits
- Views on polygamy vary and will be influenced by different factors e.g. the purpose of marriage
Keywords
Monogamy - the practice of having one spouse (wife or husband)
Polygamy - the practice of having multiple spouses (wives and/or husbands)
Spouse - a marriage partner: husband or wife
Common misconception
Polygamy is only done because men want lots of wives.
There are different types of polygamy (polygyny and polyandry) and there are different reasons why it might be practised.
Teacher tip
Consider the purpose/s of marriage with students. Then discuss how your view on the purpose might influence your view on polygamy. There is an Oak lesson on the purpose of marriage to help with ideas.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.One Christian teaching on family is that it is important for (which means having children).
Q2.The 2022 UK survey data shows that , kindness and support are important for families.
Q3.What is one Christian purpose of family?
Q4.What does the Bible teach about providing for family members?
Q5.What do many Christians believe parents should do for their children?
Q6.How have attitudes towards procreation changed over time?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
the practice of having one spouse (wife or husband)
the practice of having multiple spouses (wives and/or husbands)
a marriage partner: husband or wife
Q2.What type of marriage does Christianity generally support?
Q3.What does Islam teach about polygamy?
Q4.Why did Prophet Muhammad place restrictions on polygamy?
Q5.What is a legal issue for polygamous marriages in the UK?
Q6.Why might people support polygamy?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Contemporary family issues: Polygamy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Contemporary family issues: Polygamy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Relationships and families unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.