The nature of families including the role of parents and children
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different family types, the role of parents and children, and Christian teachings on these.
Key learning points
- Sociologists use terms for different family types including: single parent, nuclear, blended, extended and same-sex.
- National data in the UK shows how different family types have remained stable, increased or decreased over time.
- Christian Bible teachings suggest that nuclear and extended families are preferred as they are alluded to in text.
- Christian teachings in the Bible show that the role of children includes honouring and being kind to parents.
- Christian teachings show that the role of parents includes to involve them in Christian practices and to educate them.
Keywords
Blended family - a family group that includes the parents and children from their previous relationships (also reconstituted family)
Extended family - a family group including more than the nuclear family e.g. grandparents living together or nearby
Nuclear family - a family group consisting of parents and children only
Same-sex family - a family group consisting of parents who are the same gender and children only
Single parent family - a family group consisting of one parent and children only
Common misconception
There is an ideal family type.
People may have different views on the best types but there is no ideal. All families are different.
Teacher tip
Discuss with students the limits that sociologists have when discussing family types. Can there be terms for every sort of family? What terms could they use for other types not mentioned in the lesson?
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the term with its correct definition.
a legal ending of a marriage
a declaration that a marriage was never valid
getting married again after a divorce or widowhood
a non-religious marriage ceremony
the idea that something is holy or sacred
Q2.According to the Gospel of Mark, why should marriage not be broken?
Q3.According to Catholic teaching, which of the following is not allowed?
Q4.What does an annulment mean in the Catholic Church?
Q5.The Church of England teaches that marriage is for life but accepts divorce in what circumstances?
Q6.Jesus said that anyone who divorces and remarries commits ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the family type with its definition.
a family with parents and children only
a family where parents have children from previous relationships
a family that includes relatives like grandparents
a family where both parents are of the same gender
a family with only one parent raising children
Q2.Christian parents have a role in raising children in faith by taking them to and teaching them to pray.
Q3.What does 1 Timothy 5:8 suggest about families?
Q4.What is a key role of Christian parents?
Q5.What do Christian teachings say about children’s responsibilities?
Q6.Which family type has increased the most in the UK in recent years?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: The nature of families including the role of parents and children, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: The nature of families including the role of parents and children, 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.