New
New
Year 11
AQA

Sexual relationships before and outside of marriage

I can explain different views on sexual relationships before and outside of marriage.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

Sexual relationships before and outside of marriage

I can explain different views on sexual relationships before and outside of marriage.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. People are influenced by different factors on their views on sexual relationships before marriage.
  2. Non-religious arguments against sex before marriage include possible pregnancy, risk of STIs and emotional risks.
  3. Survey data shows how attitudes towards sex before marriage have changed over the past 40 years.
  4. Adultery is illegal in some countries which is often linked to state religion, but it is legal in the UK.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 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...

Where necessary, use the Oak National Academy RSHE/PSHE content on consent, contraception, safety etc to address particular topics brought up in discussion.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Buddhism accepts same sex relationships providing they are part of a relationship.

Correct Answer: loving, Loving

Q2.
Same sex relationships that are based on lust increase bad ...

Correct Answer: kamma, Kamma

Q3.
The Christian community is ...

largely unified on the issue of same sex relationships.
Correct answer: divided on the issue of same sex relationships.
not interested in the issue of same sex relationships.
completely opposed to same sex relationships.
completely in favour of same sex relationships.

Q4.
The Bible contains ...

many passages that are used to support same sex relationships.
Correct answer: many passages that are used to argue against same sex relationships.
arguments in favour of same sex relationships.
depictions of same sex relationships.

Q5.
Christian supporters of same sex relationships emphasise that because created homosexuals and therefore they should not be condemned.

Correct Answer: God, god

Q6.
Most Christian churches hold the position that you should love the sinner, but hate the ...

Correct Answer: sin, Sin

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is a non-religious reason why some people might view adultery as wrong?

Correct answer: It breaks the marriage vows and can cause emotional harm .
It is illegal in the UK.
It always results in divorce.
It is always accepted in non-religious societies.

Q2.
What is the legal age for consensual sex in England and Wales?

14
Correct answer: 16
18
21

Q3.
Which country has the highest percentage of people who believe adultery is morally unacceptable?

France
Britain
Correct answer: Pakistan
India
the USA

Q4.
The voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse is called ...

Correct Answer: adultery, Adultery

Q5.
The belief that sex before marriage is wrong due to concerns about unintended pregnancy or STIs is an example of a reason.

Correct Answer: non-religious, non religious

Q6.
Attitudes to sex before marriage have ...

stayed the same.
Correct answer: changed over time.
Correct answer: become more liberal.
become more conservative.