Theme A: Relationships and families — AQA GCSE Religious Studies
Test yourself on Theme A: Relationships and families with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Theme A: Relationships and families explained
When exploring Theme A, you must analyse religious teachings alongside philosophical and ethical arguments.
Read the full explanation
It is not enough to simply state a belief; you must evaluate its impact and influence in the modern world. For instance, how do traditional religious views on marriage influence modern family structures or legal debates? Furthermore, you must demonstrate an awareness of contrasting perspectives within contemporary British society. This means acknowledging that Britain is a pluralistic society where secular, humanist, and diverse religious views coexist. By contrasting a traditional religious teaching on divorce with modern British social attitudes, you show a deep understanding of how these ethical issues operate in real life.
Your focus
- Analyse how religious teachings shape ethical arguments concerning relationships and families.
- Evaluate the influence of religious beliefs on modern societal structures and individual behaviour.
- Compare traditional religious viewpoints with contrasting secular perspectives in contemporary British society.
Theme A: Relationships and families exam tips
Marking Points
- Explain specific religious teachings and how they form the basis of ethical arguments regarding relationships and families.
- Assess the practical impact and influence of religious beliefs on individuals and communities in the modern world.
- Identify and explain contrasting perspectives found within contemporary British society, including secular and progressive views.
- Construct reasoned arguments that weigh religious, philosophical, and ethical viewpoints against one another.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use phrases like 'In contemporary British society...' to explicitly show the examiner you are addressing this part of the specification.
- 💡When discussing the impact of a teaching, give a concrete example of how it changes a believer's daily actions or life choices.
- 💡Ensure your 12-mark answers contain at least two contrasting perspectives, which can be between different religions, within the same religion, or between religious and secular views.
Common Mistakes
- Ignoring the contemporary British society aspect; correct this by explicitly referencing modern UK laws or social norms (such as same-sex marriage legislation) when contrasting views.
- Providing only religious arguments; ensure you include philosophical or ethical arguments, such as utilitarianism or human rights, to provide a well-rounded answer.
- Stating that all British people hold the same secular view; correct this by acknowledging the diversity of thought, including strong religious communities, within modern Britain.