partnerships

what are the patterns of marriage?

• fewer people are marrying

• more remarriages

• people are marrying later

• less likely to marry in a church

what are the reasons for changing patterns of marriage?

• changing attitudes

• secularisation

• declining stigma to alternatives

• changes in position of women

• fear of divorce

• age

• education

how have changing attitudes changed marriage patterns?

• less pressure

• more freedom

• widespread belief that the quality of a relationship is more important than legal status

how has secularisation changed marriage patterns?

churches are in favour of marriage but their influence has declined

how has changing attitudes changed the patterns of marriage?

cohabitation and having children out of wedlock is now acceptable

how have changes in the position of women changed patterns of marriage?

• better educational and career prospects

• economic dependence

• feminist view on the family

why might the age of marriage be rising?

people are spending more time in full-time education and establishing careers

why might there be less church weddings?

• secularisation

• churches may refuse to marry divorcees