changing family patterns

What are 5 reasons divorce rates are increasing

Changes in law

Decline in stigma

Secularisation

Rising expectations of marriage

Women’s increased financial independence

Examples of laws that have made divorce easier

Equalising the ground for divorce for both sexes 1923

Legal aid 1949

Divorce reform act 1969 - no fault divorce

What is said about a decline in stigma & sociologists

Beck & Giddens

Emphasises that people in our modern society are exercising their individual choices & personal happiness above all else

How does secularisation increase divorce rates

The traditional opposition of the churches to divorce carries less weight in society & people feel less obligated & influenced by religious teachings

Churches have softened their views on divorce due to fear of losing followers

Marriage is more about personal commitment & practicality, once it has lost this it breaks down easier

Hpw are expectations rising & sociologist

Fletcher

In the past people had less choice over who they married since many families contracted marriages, so they enter marriage with lower expectations & end up being less dissatisfied by the absence of romance

Now marriage is viewed as something for personal fulfilment & requires romance

What does Fletcher say ruins love

‘Romanticism’ - makes us hypercritical of ourselves & our partners

How has women’s financial independence increased

Working women rose from 50% in 1970 - 70% in 2015

Equal pay act 1970

Sex discrimination act 1975

How does the triple shift lead to divorce rates increasing

Duncombe & Marsden

Leads to feelings of frustration, tension, & feeling devalued, particularly if there is resistance from the husband to participate in domestic labour

2/3 of divorces are initiated by women

How are patterns of marriage changing

Marrying later in life - 1978, 21 & 2018, 32

More remarriages, leads to serial monogamy

What are 5 reasons for changes in marriage patterns

Changing attitudes

Secularisation

Declining stigma to alternatives

Changing positions of women

Fear of divorce

How have changing social attitudes led to a decrease in marriage

Alternatives (cohabitation, living apart together) have become more accepted, because traditional views are less of the norm in society individuals feel they can mould their relationships to fit their needs

People may opt for serial monogamy over long-term relationships - Giddens

How has secularisation led to a decrease in marriage

People now see marriage as an outdated institution & since there is less stigma attached to alternatives they feel less societal pressure to pursue marriage

Only 23% of marriages in 2017 took place in a place of religious worship

How have women’s roles changing led to a decrease in marriage

Rise of opportunities to work (acts) mean women may put their career before marriage & their increased social & financial independence means they are more likely to look for partner who satisfies their needs over financial stability/convenience

How has fear of divorce led to a decrease in marriage

People delay marriage until they are certain their partner is the right person for them

Increased instability in relationships has led people to attempt to control the risks they face in society

Why is cohabitation increasing

Less stigma about sex outside of marriage

Young are more likely to accept

Increased financial independence for women means theres less need to get married

Why is there a growing acceptance towards same-sex relationships

Decriminalisation of male homosexual acts 1967

Same sex marriage legalised 2014

Stats on one person households

2019 - 3 in 10 households contained only one person

Men under 65 were the group most likely to live alone

By 2020 roughly 30% of the adult population will be single

What are 3 reasons for one-person households

Increase in divorce/separation - children will most likely move in with the mother

Decline in marriage - ‘creative single hood’, deliberate choice to stay single

Increase in living apart together relationships

Stats on decreased childbearing

1970, 24 & 2019, 30 - having children later in life

3 per women 1970 & 1.5 per women 2020 - having fewer children

Reason for changes & researcher

Sue Sharpe

Study on similar groups of women in the 70’s & 90’s

70’s - wanted marriage, children, happy home

90’s - wanted education, career, find the right partner

Patterns of British Asian families

Traditional structure - higher rates of marriage, lower rates of divorce & cohabitation, marries younger

Arranged marriage

Typically extended - obligations to assist & respect elders

What are the 2 types of extended families & sociologist

Brannen

Horizontal - aunts, uncles, cousins (Pakistani, Bangladeshi backgrounds)

Vertically (beanpole) - grandparents, parents, children (Chinese, Japanese background)

Patterns of Black British Caribbean families

High levels of lone-parenthood:

Place a high value on female independence

Social context- black men struggle to gain employment & are therefore viewed as a burden