divorce

patterns

• 60s - great increase in numbers of divorce

• ‘61 and ‘69 divorce doubled '

• ‘72 doubled again

• ‘93 it peaked

• since then the number had fallen but is still 6x higher than in ‘61

• 40% of all marriages will end in divorce

• since ‘90s the number of marriages has decreased and are choosing to cohabit instead

• 65% of petitions for divorce come from women

• most common reason is due to unreasonable behaviour

  • some couples are more likely than others to divorce = young couples, child before marriage, cohabit before marriage, those married before

explanations

1. changes in the law

2. declining stigma and changing attitudes

3. secularisation

4. rising expectations of marriage

5. women increased financial independence

6. feminism

7. modernity and individualism

changes in the law

• divorce was very difficult to obtain in the 19th century but now divorce had been made easier:

1. equalising the grounds for divorce between the sexes

2. widening the grounds/reasons

3. making divorce cheaper

• a sharp rise in the number of divorce petitions from women in 1923 when grounds equaled

• widening the grounds in 1971

• legal aid being introduced in 1949 lowered the cost

legal termination of marriage is divorce, there are other solutions:

1. desertion - legally married but one leaves the other

2. legal separation - court separated the financial and legal affairs of the couple but remain marriage

3. empty shell marriage - couple live under the same roof but remain married in name only

declining stigma

• stigma - negative label, social disapproval, shame attached to a person, action or relationship

• Since the 60s there has been a rapid decline in stigma towards divorce

secularisation

• Religion’s influence on society has declined (Wilson).

• Church attendance and religious weddings are less frequent.

• Churches’ opposition to divorce carries less weight.

• Some churches have become more tolerant of divorce.

feminist critique

• ignores gendered patters in divorce

• women are more likely to initiate divorce

financial independence

• More women are in paid employment.

• Welfare support for lone parents is available.

• Women are less economically dependent on husbands, making divorce more viable.

explanations

• Women’s employment can create new tensions at home.

• At work, women experience equality; at home, they may face traditional expectations.

• Many women perform a ‘triple shift’ — paid work, housework, and emotional labour.

• Awareness of domestic patriarchy contributes to high female-initiated divorce rates (70%).

modernity and individualism

• Individuals prioritise personal fulfilment and self-interest.

• If marriage doesn’t deliver satisfaction, people are more likely to leave.

• Modernity promotes career ambition and consumer identity for both sexes.

• These shifts create conflicting interests that can destabilise relationships.