family patterns

stigma

refers to the negative label, social disapproval or shame attached to a person, action or relationship

mitchell and goody

there has been a decline in stigma attached to divorce since the 1960s

secularisation

a decline in religion in society

fletcher - functionalist

argues that the higher expectations people place on marriage today are a major cause of rising divorce rates - because people are less likely to tolerate an unhappy marriage

why does the fact that women are becoming more financially independent lead to an increase in divorce

they are less reliant on their husbands to support them financially so they can support themselves if decide to divorce

dual burden

when the women provides for the family financially and domestically

horchschild - feminist

argues that for many women the home compares unfavourably with work, at work women feel valued, at home men continue resitting to do housework this is a source of frustration and makes marriage less stable

beck and giddens

argue that in society, traditional norms such as the duty to remain with the same partner for life has lost their hold over individuals

new right view on high divorce rate

see it as undesirable because it undermines marriage and the nuclear family - which they regard as vital to society

feminist view on high divorce rate

see it as desirable because it shows that women are breaking free from the oppression of the patriarchal nuclear family

postmodernist view on high divorce rate

see it as a representation of individuals now having freedom to choose to end a relationship when it no longer meets their needs = greater family diversity

functionalist view on high divorce rate

see it as not necessarily a threat to marriage as a social institution

marriage stats

marriage rates are at their lowest since the 1920s.

marriage and churches stats

couples are less likely to marry in church - in 1970 60% of weddings were in a church but in 2018 this had fallen to 20%

cohabitation

involves a non married couple living together in a sexual relationship

why has cohabitation increased

increased career opportunities for women - lead to less need for financial security

decline in stigma attached to sex outside of marriage

2014 legislation

2014 same sex couples could get married

duncan and phillips

completed research for the british social attitudes survey and found that one in 10 adults are living apart together

criticisms of duncan and phillips

found that obth constrain and choice played a part in the stats