C1 SB - Families & Relationships - Topic 2, Trends, Divorce

Question 1

Trends in divorce (stats)

Answer 1

In 2011, UK divorce rate = 2.1 per 1000 adults
In 1960 there were around 24000 divorces in England & Wales
Overall trend has been for the number of divorces to decline.

Question 2

1. Changes in the law

Answer 2

Before 1857, only way to divorce was through parliament .Cheaper and simpler

Question 3

2. The privatised nuclear family - Study - Parsons & Bales (1955)

Answer 3

Modern American family are structurally isolated from extended family and therefore less pressure on the couple staying together but also main focus on the relationship as it is central for the family to work.

Question 4

3. Higher expectation of marriage - Study - Fletcher (1966)

Answer 4

Couples expect a more intimate relationship based on love and support rather than economic and practical reasons that traditionally kept couples together.

Question 5

4. Changing social attitudes

Answer 5

Divorce in late modernity is more accepted and less stigmatised.
BSA survey (2006) - 63% agreed that divorce is positive, 7% disagreed
Decline in religious beliefs

Question 6

4. Study - Chambers (2012)

Answer 6

Divorce, cohabitation and lone parenthood are viewed publicly as being a sign of moral decline.
Lone parents described by tabloids as ‘undeserving scroungers’ and divorce is thought to lead to bad parenting.

Question 7

5. Individualisation - Study - Beck & Beck (1995)

Answer 7

No consensus of what marriage should look like.

Relationship open to negotiation and choice = normal ‘chaos of love’

Question 8

5. Study - Giddens (1992)

Answer 8

Postmodernist explains how in the past there was little intimacy in love relationships whereas now individuals seek confluent love - love based on deep intimacy = ‘pure relationship’. Temporary and fragile relationships.

Question 9

6. The changing role of women

Answer 9

1940s, 66% of divorces were started by men

2012, 65% of divorces were started by women

Question 10

6. Study - Allan and Crowe (2001)

Answer 10

Change in opportunities allowing women to now divorce as they are able to be financially independent.

Question 11

6. Study - Dunscombe and Marsden (1993) - Triple Shift

Answer 11

Research on 40 middle class couples, found women felt emotionally deserted by their husbands. Divorce as an escape from traditional marriage.
Triple shift - emotion work, paid work and housework