Christian attitudes to Marriage & Sexuality

Before the 1960's:

• 
  Most people did not have sex until after marriage
• People did not Cohabit (live together before marriage)
• Homosexuality was illegal (people could be put in jail for homosexual sex)
• Divorce was very controversial and left women with nothing as men were seen to own their property once married

The main changes in today's society:

• Pre marital sex is accepted
• Cohabitiation is accepted
• Many people have children before being married
• Less weddings take place in church (so less people follow religious teachings about sex)
• More marriages end in divorce
• Extended family help look after childen
• Homosexuality became legal in 1967 (2004 civil partnerships introduced)

• Contraception readily available so less chance of unwanted pregnancies
• Religion has less influcence on people's lives, so less people follow the Churche's teachings on sex/marriage
• The Media shows many celebrities having children without being married or engaging in pre marital sex, so the public think it is more acceptable in society

• The law was changed in 1969 to make divorce easier for everyday people
• Women expect equality within marriage
• Women are no longer financially dependent on husbands, many women choose carreer before children
• People live longer so marriages which may have ended earlier due to one partner dying are now lasting much longer
• People do not want to stay in an unhappy marriage
• Less religious influence

• Many more people Cohabiting, so more children born to unmarried parents
• Easier divorce means more single parents
• Increased divorce has also lead to more reconstituted families
• Working mothers means extended family are often looking after children

• Law changed so people could be openly homosexual
• About 5% of people identify as being homosexual
• Many celebrities are openly Homosexual, leading other people to view it as more acceptable
• Many groups (like Stonewall) campaign for Homosexual rights and positive attitudes