Changes In Family Patterns Flashcards
What has been the general trend of divorces in the UK
They have increased
What is the general trend of marriages over the years?
They have decreased
Now about _____% of applications for divorce has come from women
65%
1969 - What law was passed ( involving divorce)
Divorce law reform act (came into facet in 1971)
Made the adultery of one partner (the woman) to be the only grounds for divorce.
It allowed the ‘irretrievable breakdown’ of marriages to be the sole grounds of divorce.
HOWEVER you could only get divorced after 2 years of agreed separation from both parties
What year was the minimum period after marriage before a divorce petition could be filed was reduced form 3 years - 1 year?
1984
In 2014 __________ marriages became law = same grounds for divorce
Same sex
In 1923 the grounds for divorce were ________ between men and women.
Equalised
List the reasons why there was an increase in divorce rates?
- changes in the law
- Decline in stigma
- Secularisation
- Rising expectation of marriage
- Women’s increased financial independence
- feminist explanations
- Modernity and individualisation
Explain ‘changes in the law’ as a reason for the increase in divorce rates
In the 19th century a divorce was very difficult to obtain changes in the the law has made it esiar to get a divorce.
These laws has:
- Equalising the grounds
- Widening the grounds
- Making divorce cheaper
Although this doesn’t explain the trend in divorces at all.
Explain ‘the declining stigma and changing attitudes’ for an increase in divorce
As the stigma declines it becomes more socially acceptable to and means couples are more likely to turn to divorce because they would not be shunned anymore
In the 18-19th century there was a heavy negative stigma against people who
How does secularisation relate to the increase of divorces
The decline of influence of religion = people feel more open to get divorce
Churches has also began to soften their policies on divorces
Explain rising expectations for the increase in divorce
People believe that romantic love is the dominant belief that marriages should happen
TMT in they enter with high expectations they are more likely to leave if some things go wrong.
Explain woman’s increased financial independence
Women work more and earn more they also have an increased success in education = women are able to support themselves in the likelihood of divorce because they don’t relay on their husbands financially.
What are the feminist explanations for divorce ?
- Some feminist argue that women are bearing a dual burden of paid work and domestic work = new source of conflict for couples.
- Some argue marriage remains patriarchal with men benefitting more than Their wives.
- Radical feminist like Bernard (1976) observe that women are growing in dissatisfaction with pairtiachal marriage
Explain modernity and individualisation in the explanation for the increased in divorce.
People are marrying for themselves because they are unwilling to stay in a marriage that does not make them happy and provide personal fulfilment
Modern society encourages the individualism
