Changing Family Patterns (Marraige)

In the UK how old is the average bride and groom (first marriage)?

The average (median) age at marriage for opposite-sex couples in 2019 was 34.3 years for men and 32.3 years for women; for same-sex couples this was higher at 38.1 years for men and 33.8 years for women.​

According to studies how much does on average does a wedding cost?

£20,000 however couples may spend far more! ​

2021 census about marraige

219,850 marriages in total in England and Wales in 2019, a decrease of 6.4% from 2018.​ Same-sex marraiges fallen to their lowest records.

Secularisation​

Many sociologists argue that religious institutions are losing their influence on society. For many, marriage is no longer a religious ceremony, and there is no social stigma associated with cohabitation (couples living together without being married) which was once thought of as “living in sin”. the number of religious ceremonies has continued to steadily decline.​ People feel freer to to not marry.

Changes in the position of women

Better educational and career prospects has meant that women are less economically dependent on men.​ Today women expect to have careers and independent financial security and can therefore afford to delay marriage. Greater freedom not to marry.​ Feminists and other conflict theorists view marriage as an oppressive patriarchal institution. This view may be shared by members of society and discourage people to marry. ​

Sharpe 'Just like a girl'

main priorities of the 1970’s girls were ‘love, marriage, husbands and children’, but by 1990’s this had changed to ‘job, career and being able to support themselves’ with education being the main route to a good job. ​In 1994, she found that girls were increasingly wary of marriage.

Bernades

marriage is still desirable for many people… many are just getting married later or choosing to cohabit. Points out that most people get married at some point in their life. Individuals simply postpone marriage. Governmeny willing to promote marraige and nuclear family; through tax allowances.

Cohabitation as an alternative

Cohabitation involves an unmarried couple in an intimate relationship who live together. 1 in 8 couples now cohabit. There is less social stigma to living with a partner and not being married. This would have been very different pre 1970s! However, this evidence is not clear cut and for many couples it is an arrangement prior to marriage.

Robert Chester

argues that for most people cohabitation is part of the process of getting married.

Coast

research claims that 75% of cohabiting couples say they expect to marry each other.

Trial Marriage

a step that many couples take prior to marriage. Thus, marriage isn't in decline, but is postponed and many still form committed relationships.

Bejin

argues that cohabitation among young people represents a conscious attempt to create a more personally negotiated and equal relationship. This is a conscious choice.