divorce

Legal Changes

  • Divorce was nearly impossible in the 19th century.

  • Legal reforms in the 20th century made divorce easier:

    • 1923: Equalised divorce grounds between men and women.

    • 1949: Legal aid introduced, making divorce more affordable.

    • 1969: Grounds widened to include ‘irretrievable breakdown’.

Less Stigma

  • Divorce used to carry strong negative labels, especially from religious institutions.

  • Since the 1960s, stigma around divorce has declined.

  • Greater acceptance has made couples more willing to divorce.

  • As divorce becomes more common, it is normalised, further reducing stigma.

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.

Higher Expectations of Marriage

  • Fletcher (1966) argues expectations of marriage are now higher.

  • Functionalists see high re-marriage rates as evidence that people still value marriage.

Feminist Critique of Functionalism

  • Feminists argue functionalists ignore gendered patterns in divorce.

  • Women are more likely to initiate divorce due to patriarchal dissatisfaction.

Women’s 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.

Feminist 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 Individualisation

  • Beck (1992) and Giddens (1992): traditional norms like lifelong marriage are weakening.

  • 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.