Sexual relationships before and outside of marriage
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different views on sexual relationships before and outside of marriage.
Key learning points
- People are influenced by different factors on their views on sexual relationships before marriage.
- Non-religious arguments against sex before marriage include possible pregnancy, risk of STIs and emotional risks.
- Survey data shows how attitudes towards sex before marriage have changed over the past 40 years.
- Adultery is illegal in some countries which is often linked to state religion, but it is legal in the UK.
- Non-religious attitudes to adultery include thinking it is wrong due to breaking of marriage vows and emotional impact.
Keywords
Adultery - voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse. Also known as sex outside of marriage
Consensual sex - when a person agrees by choice to partake in sexual acts and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice
Sex before marriage - having sex with someone before you are married. Also known as sexual relationships before marriage or premarital sex
Common misconception
Everyone thinks its okay to have sex before marriage because it's legal in the UK from the age of 16.
Some people do not think that just because it is legal, that it is acceptable. There are reasons why waiting until marriage to have sex is preferred for some people.
Teacher tip
Where necessary, use the Oak National Academy RSHE/PSHE content on consent, contraception, safety etc to address particular topics brought up in discussion.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Buddhism accepts same sex relationships providing they are part of a relationship.
Q2.Same sex relationships that are based on lust increase bad ...
Q3.The Christian community is ...
Q4.The Bible contains ...
Q5.Christian supporters of same sex relationships emphasise that because created homosexuals and therefore they should not be condemned.
Q6.Most Christian churches hold the position that you should love the sinner, but hate the ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is a non-religious reason why some people might view adultery as wrong?
Q2.What is the legal age for consensual sex in England and Wales?
Q3.Which country has the highest percentage of people who believe adultery is morally unacceptable?
Q4.The voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse is called ...
Q5.The belief that sex before marriage is wrong due to concerns about unintended pregnancy or STIs is an example of a reason.
Q6.Attitudes to sex before marriage have ...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Sexual relationships before and outside of marriage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Sexual relationships before and outside of marriage, 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.