HIGHER RMPS MORALITY

Gender Roles

A societal expectation dictating how individuals should behave based on gender; traditionally women as caregivers, men as providers, though now challenged by recognition of non-binary and fluid identities.

Examples of Gender Roles

Women as primary caregivers (child-rearing, housework); men as breadwinners; men as decision-makers vs women as submissive; barriers for women in leadership; media reinforcing stereotypes.

Religious Views on Gender Roles

Judaism – women seen as helpers (Genesis); Christianity – some emphasise equal value but different roles, others stress full equality; Islam – complementary roles, not inequality.

Non-Religious Views on Gender Roles

Humanists emphasise equality and fairness; gender roles seen as cultural, not fixed; promote education and dismantling stereotypes.

Sources of Morality

Can come from religion (Bible, Qur’an, Torah), culture, personal experience, or philosophy (Utilitarianism, Humanism); provides frameworks for right/wrong.

Utilitarianism on Morality

Actions judged by ‘greatest happiness for greatest number’; context matters (e.g., same-sex relationships accepted if promoting happiness and stability, rejected if causing harm due to law/society).

Humanism on Morality

Morality based on human welfare and dignity, not divine command; stresses fairness, equality, and ethical reasoning.

Equality

State of being equal in rights, status, and opportunities.

Inequality

Lack of fairness or balance, often systemic disadvantages (e.g., gender pay gap, racism).

Equity

Providing individuals with what they need to reach equality, recognising different starting points.

Discrimination

Unjust treatment based on race, gender, religion, etc.

Exploitation

Treating someone unfairly for personal gain; can occur in labour, media, or relationships.

Prejudice

Preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience; leads to discrimination.

Media and Exploitation

Photoshop creating unrealistic standards; stereotypes reinforced in adverts; sensationalism exploiting victims; online grooming; cyberbullying; male gaze objectifies women.

Case Studies – Media

Body image research links altered images to dissatisfaction; backlash against edited ads → body positivity; Me Too movement shows dual role of media in exposing exploitation but also sensationalising.

Moral Issues of Inequality

Gender pay gap; systemic discrimination; poor mental health outcomes; intersectionality compounding disadvantage; sweatshop labour and consumer ethics; unrest caused by inequality.

Sexual Relationship

A relationship involving sexual acts; can be for procreation (religious) or intimacy/personal expression (non-religious).

Consent

Freely given agreement to sexual activity; can be withdrawn at any time; essential in ethical and legal definitions of relationships.

Christianity on Sexual Relationships

Sex within marriage; adultery condemned (Matthew 5:27-28); marriage preferable to uncontrolled desire (1 Corinthians 7:9).

Judaism on Sexual Relationships

Positive view of sex within marriage (Proverbs 5:15–19); stresses fidelity and community values.

Islam on Sexual Relationships

Sex permissible only within marriage; seen as blessing and responsibility.

Scottish Law - Sexual Offences

Age of consent 16; statutory rape (consent but underage); rape (non-consensual penetration); indecent exposure (intent to cause alarm/distress).

Moral Issues – Same-Sex Relationships

Debate over equality, human rights, and family structures; religious opposition vs growing acceptance; legal recognition varies worldwide.

Utilitarian View on Same-Sex Relationships

Good if promoting happiness and stability (e.g., Tan & Rob France); rejected if severe harm due to societal/legal consequences (e.g., Indonesia).

Humanist View on Same-Sex Relationships

Supported if consensual and harmless (e.g., Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka); opposed only where consequences cause severe harm (e.g., Iran).

Leviticus 18:22

"Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable" – biblical opposition to same-sex relationships.

Leviticus 20:13

Prescribes death penalty for homosexual acts – reflects severe biblical punishment.

Luke 10:27

"Love your neighbour as yourself" – supports compassion and can be interpreted in favour of LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Islam - Hadith on homosexuality

"When a man mounts another man, the throne of God shakes" – traditional Islamic condemnation of same-sex acts.

Christian response to same-sex marriage

Varies by denomination: Catholic Church opposes; Church of Scotland moving towards acceptance; progressive Christians emphasise love and compassion.

Humanist response to same-sex marriage

Marriage should be a personal choice based on love/happiness; focus on equality and human rights.

Forced marriage

Marriage where one or both parties are coerced – against human rights and consent.

Arranged marriage

Families arrange marriage but parties can refuse – distinct from forced marriage.

Cohabitation

Living together without marriage, often raising religious/ethical debate.

Christian view of marriage

Seen as a divine gift – e.g., Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one.”

Humanist view of marriage

Based on love and happiness; no divine significance, but important for personal fulfilment.

Equality Act 2010

Protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation; homophobia can lead to legal consequences.

Case study: Alan Turing

Father of modern computing; persecuted in 1952 for homosexuality; highlights injustice and stigma of past laws.

Global context – Uganda

Anti-Homosexuality Act proposes life imprisonment for same-sex relations.

Global context – Saudi Arabia

Homosexuality punishable by death (often by beheading).

Global context - Iran

Homosexuality punishable by execution (often public hanging).

UK hate crime stats (2020)

19% rise in hate crimes based on sexual orientation (15,835 incidents); 16% rise for transgender hate crimes (2,540).

Sex before marriage

Historically condemned; now widely debated; legal age of consent in Scotland is 16; risks include STIs, teen pregnancy, and social stigma.

Catholic Church – premarital sex

Viewed as sinful; sex reserved for marriage; emphasizes procreation.

Church of Scotland - premarital sex

More lenient; cohabitation accepted; focuses on compatibility and love.

Humanist view - sexual relationships

Personal choice; emphasis on responsibility, consent, and happiness; not inherently sinful.

Polyamory

Multiple consensual romantic relationships; requires communication, honesty, and emotional intelligence.

Polygamy

Marriage with multiple spouses; religiously justified in some communities (e.g., Rockland Ranch, Utah); challenges include jealousy and societal stigma.

Three P’s of Sex

Procreation, Pleasure, Sex for Money – each with different moral and societal implications.

Procreation

Main purpose per Catholic Church; linked to Genesis and “be fruitful and multiply.”

Pleasure

Emphasized in humanist and Church of Scotland views; promotes intimacy and emotional bonding.

Sex for Money

Sex work/prostitution; legal frameworks vary; issues include exploitation, autonomy, and societal judgment.

Legal Red Light District - Leeds

Regulated sex work to improve safety and reduce crime; financial necessity often drives participation.

Illegal Brothels

Operate outside law; unsafe conditions; exploitation common; highlights legal vs. moral issues.

Gender inequality

Patriarchal structures favor men; media and religion reinforce harmful stereotypes.

Bechdel Test

Measures female representation in films: ≥2 named women, talk to each other, about something other than a man.

Male gaze

Visual arts/media structured around a masculine viewer; objectifies women.

Rape culture in media

Normalizes sexual violence; examples include Game of Thrones, The Handmaid’s Tale; contributes to desensitization.

WHO global violence statistic

1 in 3 women experience physical/sexual violence worldwide.

1 Corinthians 11:2-13

Establishes male authority over women; historically influenced church and societal norms.

Ephesians 5:21-33

Discusses submission in marriage; used to justify traditional gender roles.

Alan Turing apology

In 2009, UK PM Gordon Brown formally apologized for Turing’s prosecution due to homosexuality.