Contraception and Family Planning

YEAR 9 · UNIT 16: RELIGION, GENDER & SEXUALITY · LESSON 5

What You'll Learn

Examine how religious traditions approach contraception and family planning, and consider tension between tradition and modern values.

Recall: Sexuality and Religious Teaching

Time to recall what you learned last lesson
5:00

We explored religious teaching on sexuality. Now: family planning and contraception.

What is traditional Christian teaching on sex?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: For married couples to create children and express love.

What is zina and why forbidden?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Sexual relations outside marriage, forbidden in Islam.

How are religions changing on LGBTQ+?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Progressive Christian, Jewish, some Muslim communities now include LGBTQ+ people.

What do humanists emphasise?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Consent, equality, well-being, sexual freedom without religious constraint.

Contraception and Family Planning

Catholic Teaching on Contraception

Humanae Vitae (1968): artificial contraception is sinful.

Sex serves two purposes: procreative and unitive. Contraception separates these.

Natural family planning approved (works with nature).

Reality: 80%+ Catholic women use contraception; younger Catholics disagree.

Protestant Perspectives on Contraception

Most approve. Distinguish responsible family planning from recklessness.

Contraception is tool for exercising responsibility God gave us.

Islamic Perspectives on Contraception

Views vary: Conservative forbid it; Progressive permit it; Most Islamic scholars today approve as responsible parenthood.

"There is no monasticism in Islam" - engage fully with family life, including wise planning.

Jewish Perspectives on Contraception

Procreation is mitzvah (commandment). But if pregnancy endangers mother's health, contraception obligatory.

Modern Judaism generally accepts for family planning and women's wellbeing.

Health, Autonomy & Poverty

Why family planning matters:

  • Women's health: Pregnancy/childbirth demanding.
  • Autonomy: Choice over if/when to have children.
  • Poverty: Large families struggle; planning breaks cycles.
  • Education: Fewer children = more resources per child.

Religious Values at Stake

What religions value:

  • Family: Large families blessed.
  • Nature: Accept natural fertility.
  • Responsibility: Care for children you have.
  • Women: Health, choice, dignity matter.

Deeper Investigation: Balancing Values

Traditional Religious View: Accept God's Will

"Children are blessing. Contraception rejects blessing, prioritises desires. Trust God's providence."

Progressive Religious View: Stewardship & Love

"God gave us reason and responsibility. Caring well means deciding how many we can nurture. Women's health matters."

Secular View: Personal Choice & Public Health

"Family planning is health right. Contraception access empowers people, especially women. Countries with access have better outcomes."

A Case Study: Amina & Ahmed

Amina and Ahmed (Muslim) have three young children. Amina exhausted; Ahmed income struggling. She wants contraception; family says no - more children are blessing.

Can all values be honoured? Is there a way forward?

Contraception allows responsible family planning Children are a blessing from God Women's health must be protected Accepting all pregnancies shows faith Large families are valuable People have right to choose Large families in poverty struggle Contraception separates sex from procreation

Supportive of Contraception

Against Contraception

Nuanced/Both Valid

Guidance

Some statements are important regardless of stance. Both 'children are blessing' AND 'women's health protected' matter simultaneously.

Words: 0/300

Guidance

Consider: For (religion shapes law?). Against (bind non-believers?). Compromise (conscience, health, freedom).

Review: Contraception and Family Planning

Time to recall what you learned last lesson
5:00

Test your understanding.

What does Humanae Vitae teach?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Artificial contraception sinful because separates sex from procreation.

Why do some religions oppose contraception?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Reject God's gift of fertility, prioritise pleasure over procreation.

How do progressive religious thinkers view it?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Responsible stewardship, protecting women's health, caring for children well.

What does 'no monasticism in Islam' suggest?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Muslims should engage fully with worldly life, including wise family planning.

Why is contraception access a health right?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Improves maternal health, empowers people, supports family wellbeing.