Rising Expectation of Marriage

Fletcher (functionalist) believes rising expectations of marriage are a…

Major cause of increasing divorce rates, making couples less willing to tolerate unhappy marriages

In the past, why were there low expectations of marriage?

There was little choice due to economic or family duty

What is marriage now valued as?

A binding contract seeking fulfilment so encourages divorce if not found it

Feminists criticise functionalist since they ignore women's…

Oppression leads to conflict and makes reason for divorce

Functionalists fail to explain why…

Women seek more divorce than men