The Family Being a good parent Aim Understand the qualities of a good and bad parent. Understand Christian attitudes towards the family

You will be able to answer this question by the end. Exam style question… “Children raised in a Christian family will have a better upbringing than those children born to non-religious parents.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer. (6 marks) You will be able to answer this question by the end.

Mark scheme… Marks Criteria 1 mark Opinion supported by a simple reason. 2 marks Opinion supported by one developed reason or two simple reasons. 3 marks Opinion supported by one well developed reason or several simple reasons. Students who do not make reference to religion will receive no more than 3 marks. 4 marks Opinion supported by two developed reasons with reference to religion. 5 marks Consider two points of view with knowledge and understanding of religion. 6 marks Two well developed points of view, well argued with application of religious knowledge and understanding.

Why do Christians favour the nuclear and extended family? Key terms… Parenting – The rearing of a child or children, especially the care, love, and guidance given by a parent. Family – a group of people who are related by blood, marriage or adoption. Nuclear family – A couple (often married) and their dependent children. Extended family – Several generations, living in the same house and having other relatives living close by. Lone parent family – One parent living with children Reconstituted family – Two adults who have children from previous relationships. Why do Christians favour the nuclear and extended family?

A good parent is someone who....... “If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.” ― Bette Davis “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” ― Benjamin Franklin “Your children need your presence more than your presents.” - Jesse Jackson

Low self esteem Drug abuse Lack of respect Anger Crime Underage drinking Poor achievement Disruptive at school

3 marks – Opinion supported by reasons Being a good parent… Good parents love, care and raise their children to know right from wrong. They teach them how to relate well to others and be good citizens. Religious parents raise their children within their faith. This seems obvious but not for everyone! In recent years poor parenting skills of some people have been highlighted on TV. (Think Jeremy Kyle!) Experts sort out the bad behaviour of children whose parents give in to their tantrums (‘Super Nanny’) and ‘Boot Camps’ teach badly behaved teenagers how to behave. Should children be taken away from ‘bad parents’? Will having bad parents, make you a bad parent? Should the government ‘ban’ some people from having children? 3 marks – Opinion supported by reasons

4 marks – opinion with reference to religion. The Christian family… For Christians marriage is important and the purpose of marriage is to have children. Being able to create life is a gift from God. Christians believe that children should be brought up to follow Christian principles and raised in accordance to God’s will. Marriage Children Good parenting Having children shows: Commitment Love Fulfilment of a relationship Duty Family tradition Why is it important for Christians to have children? How should Christian children be brought up? What does having children show for Christians? 4 marks – opinion with reference to religion.

The Bible… “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6) If your children are not shown the correct path at a young age, how will they even know it exists? Train them to be righteous. As they grow older and gain wisdom, they will naturally lean towards this path. “Children, obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:20-21) Use reasonable, loving correction not angry, emotional punishment. Stick in quotation sheet.

The Christian family… How would Christianity affect family life? Attend church. Children go to Sunday School. Children brought up to follow Christian values e.g. The Ten Commandments, marriage important, no drinking / smoking. Meaning rules and boundaries maybe more strict than for non-religious families.

THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF THE FAMILY Christians believe that one of the main aims of marriage is to have children and bring them up in a stable loving environment. As they grow up they will learn social and Christian values which will help them through life. Christians believe that it is important for all members of the family to support each other. Parents should raise their children with loving discipline based on Christian principles. Children should respect their parents and care for them in their old age. The Christian family should be a unit of mutual love and support. Many Christians believe that it is the loss of these Christian family values which have led to many of the problems of modern day society. Stick this in your book

Exam style question… “Children raised in a Christian family will have a better upbringing than those children born to non-religious parents.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer. (6 marks)

Mark scheme… Marks Criteria 1 mark Opinion supported by a simple reason. 2 marks Opinion supported by one developed reason or two simple reasons. 3 marks Opinion supported by one well developed reason or several simple reasons. Students who do not make reference to religion will receive no more than 3 marks. 4 marks Opinion supported by two developed reasons with reference to religion. 5 marks Consider two points of view with knowledge and understanding of religion. 6 marks Two well developed points of view, well argued with application of religious knowledge and understanding.

Swop books highlight points that appear in answer. Sample answer… I disagree that children raised in a non-religious family will have a worse upbringing. Religion alone is not responsible for influencing a person’s actions. People who are not religious can still have a strong sense of morality and know what is right and wrong and can therefore teach this to their children. An effective parent is one who loves and cares for their children, who provides emotional and financial support and just because a parent is not religious it does not mean they will not do this. However some people would agree with this statement and do believe children have a better upbringing in a Christian family. They believe that Christianity sets down rules and boundaries that are clear for parents to follow, for example ‘The Ten Commandments’. A Christian child may also attend church and go to Sunday school and be surrounded by like minded people with shared values. They may also feel secure in the knowledge that religion preaches against divorce and encourages families to work together through difficult times. A*Two well developed points of view, well argued with application of religious knowledge and understanding. Swop books highlight points that appear in answer.

‘Married couples make better parents.’ Exam style question… ‘Married couples make better parents.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer. (6 marks) To help you write a ‘model’ answer you are going to use the mark scheme given by the exam board.

‘Married couples make better parents.’ Use information to write A* answer. (Two sides, developed, religious opinion) ‘Married couples make better parents.’ Students may include some of the following points: Agree A married couple are more committed as vows have been made before God to remain faithful / part of God’s plan for a couple to have children and bring them up / different roles support the raising of children / father’s responsibility is to support the family whilst mother looks after the children / two parents means children able to have more quality time with a parent than if there was only one / parents not married then relationship may not be as strong or committed. Other Views Many families are strong and supportive of children without the parents being married / some are one parent families and children still have happy childhoods / married parents are no guarantee of happiness as family could still be victims of domestic abuse / surely better to be single parent family and happy than married and unhappy. (6 marks)

Should there be lessons on parenting in school ?

A religious parent would...... Parenting Parenting 2 ‘The World’s Strictest Parents’ Video clips – out of control children Sent abroad to live with religious families!

'Religious people should never divorce.' Exam style question… 'Religious people should never divorce.' Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer. (6 marks)

If you finish… Make a list of some causes of tension in a family. Write down the names of members of your ‘nuclear family’ and your extended family’. Write a paragraph about the way that the family has changed in our society over the last century. (think about working hours, unemployment, changing roles pressures on young people).