The problems and challenges of the family institution : a comparative analysis of Islam and Christianity from selected ideological perspectives

Abstract

The family institution represents the foundational unit and moral nucleus of human civilization. Both Islam and Christianity regard the family as a divinely ordained and sacred institution that nurtures individuals spiritually, socially, and morally. However, in the modern era, the family is undergoing one of the greatest crises in its history. The emergence and expansion of contemporary ideologies—particularly liberalism, feminism, and postmodernism-have redefined fundamental concepts of marriage, gender roles, and moral authority, thereby weakening traditional family values in both religious contexts. This study investigates the problems and challenges confronting the family institution from a comparative perspective between Islam and Christianity, focusing on ideological, social, and theological dimensions. The research adopts a qualitative, library-based methodology supported by descriptive, analytical, and critical approaches. Data were collected from both primary sources, such as the Qur’an and Hadith and the Bible, and secondary sources, including theological commentaries, scholarly writings, and contemporary academic debates. The analysis employs thematic and content analysis techniques to interpret and compare religious and ideological viewpoints. The findings reveal that, despite theological differences, both Islam and Christianity uphold the family as a divinely sanctioned institution aimed at ensuring moral order, social stability, and spiritual development. Nevertheless, several contemporary factors such as materialism, secularization, shifting gender norms, and the influence of modern ideologies have contributed to its weakening. Liberalism, feminism, and postmodernism have collectively undermined the traditional moral foundation of the family institution by promoting individual autonomy, gender fluidity, and relativistic ethics. This study offers an original contribution by presenting a comparative and critical analysis of how these ideologies challenge the family in both religions and by articulating a counter-narrative rooted in Islamic and Christian theological traditions. It argues for renewed engagement by religious scholars and communities to reinterpret family ethics while considering contemporary realities without compromising divine principles. The research concludes by proposing strategies to strengthen the family institution through moral education, spiritual awareness, and interfaith dialogue, thereby contributing to the preservation of the family as a cornerstone of faith and society.