Divorce: Changing Family Patterns

What is the legal definition of divorce?

the legal termination of a marriage

How have divorce rates in the UK changed since the 1960s?

• risen significantly

• 27,000 divorces in 1961 and 80,057 divorces in 2022

What age group is most commonly involved in divorce in the UK?

late 30s to 40s, typically after 10-20 years of marriage

What are the four main reasons for the increase in divorce?

• declining stigma

• secularisation

• rising expectations of marriage

• women’s financial independence

How has declining stigma contributed to the increase in divorce?

• divorce is now viewed as more acceptable and less stigmatised

• high profile celebrity divorces help to normalise it

How has secularisation contributed to the increase in divorce?

• decline in religious influence weakens opposition to divorce

• fewer couples marry in religious ceremonies

How have rising expectations of marriage contributed to the decline in divorce?

• marriage is now seen as based on personal fulfilment and romantic love

• individuals are less willing to stay in unhappy marriages

How has women’s financial independence contributed to the increase in divorce?

women’s better education, better careers, and financial stability reduces economic dependence on husbands

Which sociologist argued higher expectations of marriage contribute to divorce?

Fletcher (1966)

What do feminist explanations say about divorce?

women carry a dual burden of paid work and housework, leading to marital tension and dissatisfaction

Which sociologists are linked to the ‘triple shift’ affecting divorce?

Duncombe & Marsden (1993)

What legal changes have made divorce easier?

• Divorce Reform Act

• Matrimonial Causes Act (1973)

How do New Right sociologists view high divorce rates?

• undermines marriage and traditional family values

• creates dependency culture and poorer outcomes for children

How do functionalists interpret high divorce rates?

• high divorce rates reflect higher expectations of marriage

• allow individuals to seek happier partnerships

How do interactionists explain divorce?

Morgan (1996) argues the meaning of divorce varies for individuals - some children find relief and others find it traumatic

How does the personal life perspective (PLP) explain divorce?

Smart (2011) argues divorce is one of many life transitions and does not necessarily harm the family

How do theories of late modernity explain divorce?

Beck (1992) and Giddens (1992) argue individuals seek ‘pure relationships’ based on emotional satisfaction, making divorce more common

How are reconstituted (step) families linked to divorce?

rising divorce rates have led to more reconstituted families as divorced parents form new partnerships

What financial impact does divorce often have?

divorce typically leads to financial strain as assets are divided and households have less combined income

What tends to happen to father-child contact after divorce?

an estimated 33-50% of divorced fathers gradually lose all contact with their children

How have remarriage rates changed?

• declined

• 19% of marriages were remarriages in 1995-2000 compared to 15% in 2013

What emotional effects can divorce have?

• emotional distress due to changes in family networks

• disputes over parenting and property

• loss of support

• emotional relief if the marriage was unhappy