GCSE Religious Studies: Relationships & Families Revision

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Do all religious believers hold identical views on family and relationships?

Relationships & Families is a core part of GCSE Religious Studies. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

Marriage in ChristianitySacrament of unity between man and woman until death (Catholic); some Anglicans bless same-sex unions; vows include faithfulness.

Islamic NikahContract requiring offer, acceptance, witnesses, mahr (dowry); permits up to four wives with equal treatment; polygamy rare today.

DivorceChristianity discourages divorce: most Protestant churches allow it and remarriage, while Catholicism allows only annulment. Islam permits divorce (talaq) as a last resort, followed by a waiting period (iddah).

ContraceptionCatholic ban on artificial methods (Humanae Vitae 1968); Protestants generally accept; Islam permits with mutual consent.

Same-Sex RelationshipsDiverse views: progressive Christians/Jews celebrate; Catholic, Orthodox, most Muslim/Hindu/Sikh traditions oppose; debate over Bible passages.

Family RolesReligions emphasise parental love and child obligations; Honour Father and Mother (Exodus 20); Confucian filial piety.

Civil partnershipLegal union (UK) giving similar rights to marriage

Same-sex marriageMarriage between two people of the same sex

PolygamyMarriage to more than one spouse at a time

PatriarchySociety or system led primarily by men

SecularisationDecline of religious influence in society

Reform Judaism / liberalReligious tradition open to change with society

AnnulmentDeclaration that a marriage was never valid

TalaqIslamic divorce procedure

What your exam board covers

Where Relationships & Families sits in each exam board's specification. Tap a board to see what it lists.

OCRRelationships and familiesSpec J625

Part of: Religion, philosophy and ethics in the modern world

Source: OCR GCSE (9–1) Religious Studies (J625) specification, accessed 23 June 2026.

Learn Relationships & Families step by step

Free interactive mini-lessons: short screens, worked examples and quick checks. Pick your exam board:

Other boards:CCEA Edexcel Eduqas/WJEC Cambridge IGCSE Edexcel IGCSE

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Do all religious believers hold identical views on family and relationships?✗ Yes, all believers agree completely. ✓ No — teachings and interpretations differ between and within religions.

Do all religions forbid contraception and divorce outright?✗ Yes, all forbid them absolutely. ✓ No — views vary by religion and denomination; many permit them in circumstances.

Practise Relationships & Families — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

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Relationships & Families

Key concepts

What your exam board covers

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Relationships & Families — free games

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