A description of Christian teachings about the roles of men and women.

A Description of Christian Teachings about the Roles of Men and Women

The family is our basic social unit. It is the smallest and most common group in our society. It is found in every country and in every age throughout history. Sociologists often distinguish between two types of family.

The first is the ‘nuclear’ family which is where husband and wife live alone with their children.

The second is the ‘extended’ family, which consists of several generations possibly living in the same house and having relatives living in the neighbourhood.

Christians believe that family is of great importance.

In Genesis it says: “Living as a family prevents loneliness.”

Christians also belive it is their duty to care for all their relatives, including the elderly. Showing respect to each family member is of paramount importance, 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if anyone does not take care of his relatives, especially the members of his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

In the book of Ruth it says that families must show loyalty to one another. The Bible shows that God intended, right from the beginning that men and women should join together for life as couples. The bond between a man and a woman produces new life when children are born, and this way God’s creation continues. The Bible makes it clear that marriage should be taken very seriously, Genesis 2:18, “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.”

This is a preview of the whole essay

One reason for Christians marrying is that they can provide a stable background which helps people to cope with problems. It prepares children for adult life. In the family children are taught the ways in which society expects them to behave and this is called Socialization. I mentioned earlier that caring for the needs of family members is very important. This includes children and looking after their spiritual and emotional needs as well as their physical needs. The roles of men and women within families should be shared. The need for discipline should be shared to and both parents should set codes of practice and examples. Parents need to enable their children to be responsible and expose them to different situations. Children should be able to respect their parents and their decisions: Exodus 20:12, “Respect your father and mother, so that you may live along time in the land I am giving you.”

If parents create a stable background to bring a child into, then a sense of security and self-worth is also created.

There are three elements in family life and these are freedom, discipline and love.

Parents need to be consistent in terms of freedom and discipline and in doing so parents need to say what they mean and mean what they say, Proverbs 23:22, “Listen to your father; without him you would not exist. When your mother is old, show her your appreciation.”

In terms of discipline parents should always be specific when the reprimand their children. This is important because it will enable the children to fully understand why they should not do a specific thing. Above all families should show loyalty, Proverbs 1:8-9, “Pay attention to what your father and mother tell you, my son. Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance.”

Christianity teaches that the family is God’s plan for the protection and nuturing of human beings. There are several references in the Old Testament which were later developed by Jesus showing God as a loving and forgiving Father, providing Christians with an ideal. This is best shown in the story of the Lost Son. In the parable of the Lost Son the younger son had to admit he was wrong which is hard for him because he wants his father to think he’s responsible. He had spent all his fathers’ money on drink and girls, he had wasted all the money and ended up poor. The father forgave the older son. The father realised the son had been nieve, he had been used and abused by his friends. The father did a courageous thing in letting the son find out about the world and have his experiences but also knowing his son would be hurt. The father knew that people are unscrupulous, but he also knew that if he had tried to warn his son it wouldn’t have worked because the son would have thought he knew best and wouldn’t have listened to his father. The father was therefore a very good parent and knew when to let go and knew that there would be pitfalls. He displayed a perfect role model of a parent and didn’t openly criticise but was there for his son and helped him to move forward.

However, the older son did not forgive the younger son, he took a different course of action and did not ask for money as his brother had done, but if he didn’t ask then it isn’t unfair because you have to get things for yourself. You can not fall back on other people you have to become independent. With choice comes consequence, good or bad, but the way you handle these consequences determines your level of maturity.

Nowadays, people in the Christian Society are beginning to change roles, and men and women are becoming more equal. Many Christian parents have accepted changes in society and have adapted to them. Both men and women go to work, there are also some house husbands. There are different roles in society which are beginning to be shared by both men and women such as male equivalent maids. Some children in one parent families even have to take the role of a parent if a relative becomes ill. They have to grow up quickly and take on the burdens of holding a family unit together.