New
New
Year 11
AQA

The nature of families including the role of parents and children

I can explain different family types, the role of parents and children, and Christian teachings on these.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

The nature of families including the role of parents and children

I can explain different family types, the role of parents and children, and Christian teachings on these.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sociologists use terms for different family types including: single parent, nuclear, blended, extended and same-sex.
  2. National data in the UK shows how different family types have remained stable, increased or decreased over time.
  3. Christian Bible teachings suggest that nuclear and extended families are preferred as they are alluded to in text.
  4. Christian teachings in the Bible show that the role of children includes honouring and being kind to parents.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 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...

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?
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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.
Match the term with its correct definition.

Correct Answer:divorce,a legal ending of a marriage

a legal ending of a marriage

Correct Answer:annulment,a declaration that a marriage was never valid

a declaration that a marriage was never valid

Correct Answer:remarriage,getting married again after a divorce or widowhood

getting married again after a divorce or widowhood

Correct Answer:civil marriage,a non-religious marriage ceremony

a non-religious marriage ceremony

Correct Answer:sanctity,the idea that something is holy or sacred

the idea that something is holy or sacred

Q2.
According to the Gospel of Mark, why should marriage not be broken?

because it is a legal contract
Correct answer: because God has brought the couple together
because society depends on marriage

Q3.
According to Catholic teaching, which of the following is not allowed?

cohabitation
civil divorce in certain cases
Correct answer: religious divorce

Q4.
What does an annulment mean in the Catholic Church?

Correct answer: The marriage was invalid from the beginning.
The couple has legally divorced.
The marriage will eventually be recognised by civil law.

Q5.
The Church of England teaches that marriage is for life but accepts divorce in what circumstances?

if the couple no longer love each other
only if both partners agree
Correct answer: in exceptional circumstances

Q6.
Jesus said that anyone who divorces and remarries commits ...

Correct Answer: adultery, Adultery

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the family type with its definition.

Correct Answer:nuclear family,a family with parents and children only

a family with parents and children only

Correct Answer:blended family,a family where parents have children from previous relationships

a family where parents have children from previous relationships

Correct Answer:extended family,a family that includes relatives like grandparents

a family that includes relatives like grandparents

Correct Answer:same sex family,a family where both parents are of the same gender

a family where both parents are of the same gender

Correct Answer:single parent family,a family with only one parent raising children

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.

Correct Answer: church, Church

Q3.
What does 1 Timothy 5:8 suggest about families?

Families should only consist of parents and children.
Families should always live in the same household.
Correct answer: Providing for relatives is important.

Q4.
What is a key role of Christian parents?

Correct answer: to raise children within the faith
to allow children to choose any belief system
to send children to religious schools

Q5.
What do Christian teachings say about children’s responsibilities?

Correct answer: They should honour and be kind to parents.
They should challenge their parents’ views.
They should always obey parents without question.

Q6.
Which family type has increased the most in the UK in recent years?

extended families
Correct answer: same sex families
blended families