2. changes to the family (f&h) Flashcards
what were the 4 family types Rappoport and Rappoport found?
-cultural diversity
-organisational diversity
-generational diversity
-social class diversity
what is cultural diversity?
different cultures have different structures, organisations and roles for the family to play
what is organisational diversity?
considers how family differs in terms of roles and responsibilities within the family. different families will have different organisations
what is generational diversity?
how things change over time. as time goes on and social attitudes change, family structures have changed
what is social class diversity?
in working class families there tends to be a lot more symmetry (dual earning families) whereas middle class families tend to be more traditional and patriarchal
what are some causes of family diversity?
-changes in law
-changes in social attitudes
-changing role of women
-secularisation
-globalisation
-material/economic factors
what is changes in law?
-divorce act, legalisation of same sex marriages, adoption of single person
-ease of access e.g. submitting divorce papers online. the law has adapted to accept different family types
what is changes in social attitudes?
-links with changes in law as social attitudes changing impacts the law
-still some stigmas, especially around women who dont want children
what is the changing role of women?
-families have had to adapt and adjust as women have become more economically active
-there is a changing view of who is responsible for what role in the family
-women have become more independent=freedom
-more women leave relationships that dont work for them
what is secularisation?
-as religion and the power of religion has declined, weve seen more family diversity
-churches also adapting and becoming more accepting of different family types
what is globalisation?
-with migration, weve seen families with different structures and different organisational situations coming to the uk
-cultural diversity we see in society now has been linked to globalisation
what is material/ economic factors?
-decision about who goes back to work after children is now an economic factor rather than a gendered decision
-dual earning families have become more symmetrical
what are the types of cohabitation?
-temporary, informal arrangement- spending lots of time together + sharing accommodation, but in casual relationship
-alternative/substitute to marriage-longterm stable committed partnership, without legal commitments
-preparation/trial marriage- 80% of first time marriages have been proceeded by a period of cohabitation
what are people choosing to cohabit?
-changing role of women
-reduced functions of the family
-changing social attitudes
-growing secularisation
-rising divorce rates
-reducing risk
what is the cohabitation rights bill?
-allow couples with children, couples without children who have lived together for 2 or more years, the right to apply for a financial settlement in form of cash lump sum, transfer of property to their sole name
-increase rights for cohabiting couples to mirror married couples
what are some positives of cohabitation rights bill?
-saves money
-couples have more choice
what are some negatives of cohabitation rights bill?
-marriage=redundant
-reduces equality of marriage
-reduces importance of marriage
what are some reasons for LATs (living apart together relationships)?
-space
-personal choice
-money
-education
-military family
-protecting family
-health
-modern technology
-independence
what was the legal aid and advice act of 1949?
provided financial support for those who couldnt afford divorce
what was the divorce reform act of 1969?
allowed for irreconcilable difference as a reason for divorce. allowed women to file for divorce without proving adultry, abandonment of abuse
what was the matrimonial and family proceedings act of 1985?
reduced the time of married from 3 years to 1 before divorce could be finalised
what was the ‘no fault’ divorce of 1995?
had to prove irretrievable breakdown of marriage, evidenced through adultery, unreasonable behaviour
what are some statistics about divorce?
- 42% of all marriages end in divorce
- 34% of marriages are expected to end in divorce by the 20th wedding anniversary
- 16% of all marriages reach the 50th wedding anniversary
what are some evaluations of the divorce statistics?
-only show legal termination of marriages they dont show:
*number of people who are separated but not divorced
*number of people who live in empty shell marriages
*how many unstable or unhappy marriages existed before divorce was made easier
what are some reasons for changes in divorce?
-changes in law
-changing role of women
-rising expectations of marriage
-growing secularisation
-changing social attitudes
-effective contraception
-privatised nuclear family
-reduced functions of the family
-increasing life expectancy
what is the impact of the rise in divorce?
-Rogers and Pryor-divorce only 1 factor causing problems for children
-Jon Bernardes-divorce less damaging than negative marriage
what is the overall impact of rise in divorce?
-new right= divorce is eroding the very fabric of society
-feminists= divorce laws have helped women to gain freedom, independence and social equality
why are birth and fertility rates changing?
-contraception
-education
-careers
-surviving infancy
-being mobile
-parenthood
-cost
what are the effects of birth and fertility rates on the family?
-families are getting smaller
-increasing number of women voluntarily choosing to reject child-bearing
-rise of cohabitation and number of births outside marriage
