Jehovah's Witnesses and the Family

The family, the oldest institution on earth, plays a vital role in human society. Strong families are the foundation of strong societies. For Jehovah's Witnesses, the application of principles found in God's Word, the Holy Bible, is the basis for building successful and happy families.

At their weekly Christian meetings and at larger assemblies, as well as in their publications, Jehovah's Witnesses follow a comprehensive Bible educational program that helps marriage mates treat each other with respect and that helps parents develop in their children such desirable values as honesty, morality, integrity, and dependability. This program benefits families, strengthens the community, and pleases the Creator, the Originator of the family.

Principles and examples from the Bible teach good communication practices and effective methods of reconciling differences within the family. These principles provide practical guidance for all types of families, including stepfamilies and single-parent families. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that all families, no matter what their circumstances, can benefit from the teachings of the Bible.

Stable marriages

The Bible's advice on marriage is as relevant today as it was when the Bible was written. When husband and wife treat each other with love and respect and view marriage as an exclusive relationship, the marriage is far more likely to survive—and with it the family.

A husband learns from the Bible that he must accord his wife the same esteem and consideration that he shows himself. Husbands are encouraged to seek the opinions and thoughts of their wives in making decisions that concern the family. The father thereby provides his children with a good example of how women should be treated. Wives are counseled to love their husbands and to respect the role the husband has as head of the family. (Ephesians chapter 5, verses 28 to 33) Is such advice practical in the modern world? After studying social life in Zambia, a researcher from a Canadian university concluded: "Jehovah's Witnesses experience greater success than members of other denominations in maintaining stable marital unions."

The Bible allows for separation in extreme cases, such as when there is physical abuse or willful non-support. Divorce is also allowed, but only on the grounds of sex relations outside the marriage. (Matthew chapter 19, verses 8 and 9) Whether or not to separate or divorce is the personal decision of the wronged mate. In a marriage in which only one mate is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Witness mate is counseled to show respect and love to the non-Witness mate. The Bible disapproves of a Christian's breaking up the marriage merely over differences of religious beliefs.—1 Corinthians chapter 7, verses 10 to 13.

Children given love and guidance

Within the family, parents hold primary responsibility for providing needed love and training to their children. (Titus chapter 2, verse 4; Ephesians chapter 6, verse 4) They also provide for their physical needs such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and medical care. Children learn from the Bible that they must obey and honor their parents, regardless of the parents' religious beliefs. Children are also encouraged to show respect to their grandparents and to other older people in the family as well as in the community.—Leviticus chapter 19, verse 32.