changing family patterns Flashcards
changing patterns of divorce - statistical data
number of divorces doubled between 1961 and 1969 and doubled again by 1972
since then numbers have fallen but stood at 118,000 at 2912 - six times higher than in 1961
about 40% of marriages end in divorce
65% application from divorce come from women in contrast to 37% in 1946
what types of couples are at risk of divorce
those who got married young
when both /one partner has been married before
child before marriage
what laws have influenced divorce to become more easier
equalising grounds of sexes in divorce
widening grounds for divorce
making divorce cheaper
how did equalising the grounds of divorces increase divorce
when grounds were equalised in 1933 divorce followed by a sharp rise in divorce petitions from women
what made divorce cheaper
the introduction of legal aid for divorce cases in 1949 lowered cost of divorcing
alternative ways that couples divorce without divorcing
desertion - one partner leaves but remain legally married
legal separation - court separates financial and legal affairs for divorce married. not free to remarry
empty shell - couple continues to live under same roof but remain married in name only
reasons for increase in divorce
decline in stigma
changes in the law
rising expectation of marriage
women’s increased financial independence
feminist explanations
secularisation
modernity and individualisation
how does decline in stigma and changing attitudes increase rate of divorce
churches tended to condemn divorce + refused to conduct serves to divorcees
Mitchell + Goody note since 1960s stigma has decreased dramatically
divorce is now socially acceptable
how has secularisation allowed the increase of divorce
decline in influence of religion, church attendance rates continue to decline
traditional opposition of churches in divorce carry less weight less likely to influence religious teachings in making decisions about lifestyle
churches begin to soften views on divorce
how has the rising expectation of marriage caused more divorces
Fletcher - higher expectations on marriage are major cause in divorce rates
higher expectations means that couples less willing to tolerate unhappy marriage
if love dies there’s no justification in remaining married
Allan + Crow - love personal commitment + intrinsic satisfaction are now seen as cornerstones of marriages the absence of these feeling is enough t justification for the end
Fletchers takes a march of progress - marriage is still being valued as an institution
how have women’s increased financial independence lead to increased divorce rates
- women now in paid work. from 53% in 1971 to 67% in 2913
alot high women generally earn less than men, anti discrimination laws have narrowed pay gap
girls greater success in education allows the to gain better qualification for good wages
availability of welfare benefits mean that women can rely elsewhere for money
Allan + Crow - marriage is not embedded in the economic system, family is no longer unit of production no longer have to depend o eachother
feminist explanations of increases in divorce
