Changing Family Patterns Flashcards
What major changes in family and household patterns have happened in the last 40/50 years
-Number of traditional nuclear family households
-Divorce rates have increased
-Fewer first marriages, more re-marriages
-People marrying later in life
-More cohabiting
-Same-sex civil relationships/marriage
-Fewer children/later
-More births outside marriage
-More lone-parent families
-More step-family/couples without kids
Changes in divorce since 1960s. Peak year
-Doubled between 1961 and 1969
-Peaked at 1993 (165,000)
-Since fallen slightly
What % of marriages end in divorce
40%
Why have numbers fallen since 1990s. Who applies for them most?
-Fewer are marrying- cohabit instead
-65% Women
What type of couple are most likely to get a divorce?
-Young
-Have a child before marriage
-Cohabit before marriage
-Those who married before
What are the 7 main reasons for an increase in divorce
- Changes in law
- Declining stigma & changing attitudes
- Secularisation
4.Rising expectations of marriage
5.Womens financial independence - Feminist explanation
7.Modernity and individualisation
- Changes in law
Was very hard to obtain in 19th century. Now…
-Equalising/ Widening the grounds, making divorce cheaper
What are 3 ways couples solve unhappy marriages without divorcing
-Desertion: one leaves but stay married
-Legal separation: remain married but court separates finances/legal affairs
-‘Empty shell’ marriage: Live under same roof but remain married by name only
-Less popular as divorce is easier now
- Declining stigma and changing attitudes
-In past it was stigmatised eg by church but rapidly decreased so now more socially acceptable (not shameful)
-Ppl more willing to resort to divorce as a way to solve problems
- Secularisation
-Decline in the influence of religion- societies becoming more secular
-So churches traditional opposition has carries less weight
-Also many have softened their views
- Rising expectations of marriage
Functionalist (Fletcher) says the higher expectations ppl place on marriage are a major cause of rising rates (less tolerant as they seek personal fulfilment)
-Linked to the ideology of romantic love- has become dominant eg miss/mr right
-In past, ppl had little choice (economic reasons) Less high expectations
How does Fletcher take an optimistic view?
-Most re-marry so the institution has not been rejected
-Theres still a popularity of marriage
How do feminists critique the functionalist view
-Say it’s ‘too rosey’
-Argue the oppression of women in the family is the cause of conflict/divorce(funct ignore this)
-Fail to explain why W apply most
- Women’s increased financial independence
-Less dependent so freer to end an unsatisfactory marriage
-W much more in paid work (67%)
-Although generally earn less, police’s have helped narrow the gap
-More success in education-better jobs
-Welfare benefits
All help W support themselves after divorce
- Feminist explanation
-Womens dual burden has created a new source of conflict=higher divorce
-Marriage remains patriarchal, men benefit: despite public improvements (edu, employment ect) not much change in private sphere- triple shift (family)
Hochschild (home vs work)
-Compared unfavourably, they feel valued at work but at not at home (frustration from housework)
-Also more working from both means less time to address emotional work
(Higher divorce rates)
However is there evidence working women are more likely to get divorced?
-Nope, argued because working has become an accepted necessity norm for married women
Bernard (radical feminist observer…)
-Many women feel a growing dissatisfaction with patriarchal marriage
-Sees rising DR & more female applicants as evidence of a growing acceptance of feminist ideas
- Modernity and individualisation (Beck&Giddens)
-Argue in modern society, trad norms eg duty to remain with same partner, loose hold over ppl
-As a result we’re more free to pursuit our own self-interest (so more fragile)
Giddens (PR)
-One that exists solely to satisfy each partners needs and not out of a sense of duty, tradition, children sake. (Pure relationship)
-Its normalised
(Higher divorce rates)
How else does modern society encourage individualism
-W and M expected to work & encouraged to pursue ambitions (can cause conflicts between partners)
-Encourages ppl to adopt a neoliberal, consumerist identity-freedom to follow one’s own self-interest
Sociologists disagree about the effects of DR on society. New rights view…
-See it as undesirable as it undermines marriage and the trad nuclear family-they regard it vital to social stability
-They see it creating a growing underclass of welfare dependent female LPF - burden to state, boys without RM
-Also results in poorer health& educational outcomes for children
What are feminists views on high divorce rates
-See it as desirable, shows W are breaking free from the oppression of the patriarchal nuclear family
What are postmodernists and the individualisation thesis view on high divorce rates
-Shows individuals now have the freedom to choose to end a relationship when it no longer meets their needs.
-See it as a major cause of greater family diversity
What are functionalists views on high divorce rates
-Its not necessarily a threat to marriage as a social institution, simply the result of peoples higher expectations of marriage today
-High re-marriage rates shows ppls continuing commitment to marriage
Interactionists views of high divorce rates
-Aim to understand what divorce means to individuals
Morgan: argues we cannot generalise about the meaning of divorce, as every person’s interpretation is different
Eg some say their father leaving was best day of their life, some never recover
Personal life perspective of high divorce rates
-Accepts that divorce can cause problems, eg financial, custody ect
-But some (Smart) argue divorce has become ‘normalised’ and that family life can adopt without disintegrating-rather than seeing it a major social problem
What are some important changes in the pattern of marriage in recent years
-Fewer marrying, at lowest since 1920
-More re-marriages (1/3 we’re in 2012) leading to serial monogamy
-Marrying later(rose 7yrs 1971-2012)
-Couples less likely to marry in church: fallen by 30% since 2012
Many reasons similar to reasons for increased divorce… (Changing attitudes)
-Less pressure to marry, more freedom to choose what relationship they want
-Widespread belief that quality is more important than legal status (norm everyone’s should marry weakened)
Secularisation as reason for changes in marriage
-Churches declining influence means people are freer to not marry
Declining stigma attached to alternatives to marriage
-Cohabitation, being single, having children outside marriage all now widely accepted so wedding doesn’t = a ‘shotgun wedding’
(1989:70%, 2012:42% thought people who want children should marry)
Changes in the position of women as reason for marriage rates
-Better education & career prospects, many women less dependent
-Gives greater freedom to not marry
-Feminists view its oppressive & patriarchal may also dissuade women
Fear of divorce as a reason for changes in marriage
-With rising rates, may put ppl off marrying as they see the increased likelihood of it ending in divorce
What are the patterns of cohabitation
-Cohabiting with children is a growing family type
-1/8 now cohabiting hetero coupes
-Estimates 69k same-sex coh couples
What are the reasons for an increase in cohabitation
-declining stigma to sex outside marriage
-Young are more likely to accept it
-Increased career opp for W may mean they have less need for dependence
-Secularisation: Young with no religion more likely than those without
Relationship between cohabitation and marriage
-Although coh increasing as marriage decreases. Relationships not clear-cut
-For some coh is a step to getting married, others it’s permeant
Do some see it as a trial marriage?
-Most do, and go on to marry if they have children or are awaiting a divorce
-Although it’s permanent for some (Bejin: for some young ppl it’s a consious attempt to make a more personally negotiated&equal relationship)
-So doesn’t mean the same for everyone, it covers a diverse/compex range of ppl.
Same-Sex relationships (stonewall)
-Campaign for lesbians, gay, bisexual rights estimates 5-7% of pop have same-sex relationships
-Impossible to compare to past as stigma&illegality meant they were more likely hidden
How has social acceptance of same-sex relationships changed?
-Evidence of increased acceptance in recent years.
-M homosexual acts were decriminalised in 1967(over 21) now equalised to 18
-Opinion polls show tolerance of homosexuality
How has social policy changed for SS couples?
Now treats couple more equally
-2002: coh couples- right to adopt as married couples
-2004: Civil Partnership Act- same sex similar legal rights to married couples ie, pension, inheritance ect
-Since 2014: same sex couples able to marry
Weeks (chosen family)
-Argues increased social acceptance may explain same-sex coh trends
-As gays create families on ‘friendship as kinship’/ chosen family. Offers same security & stability as heterosexual families
What have some said the effects of legal frameworks on same-sex couples is?
-Due to the absence of such framework until recently, some argue same-sex partners have had to negotiate commitment/responsibility more than married couples
-May have made them more flexible& less stable than heterosexual
Trends for one-person households
-Big rise, almost 3/10 are OPH (3x figure in 1961)
-40% of OPH are 65+ (most are men under 65)
-2033: predicted over 30% of adult pop will be single
Reasons for increased OPH
-Inc in divorce/separation-esp men under 65 (kids often go to mother)
-dec in marriages, marrying later (single pop risen by half since 1971)
-Or may be a lack of available partners in age group (old windows)
Living apart together
-British Social Attitudes Survey found about 1in10 are in significant relationships but aren’t married or cohabiting (so not single)
-Accounts for 1/2 classes as ‘single’-trend of less formal relationships
What are the factors effecting couples living apart together ?
-Found both
Choice: minority, simple want too, troubles passed relationships ect
Constraint: Some cannot afford to move in together
-LAT no longer seen as abnormal however so don’t face rejection
What are recent childbearing patterns?
-Nearly half born outside marriage (2x as many in 1986)-but most cohab
-W having kids later 1971-2012 av age rose by 4 years to 28.1yrs
-W having fewer,peak:2.95 (1964), record low 1.63 (2001), rising 1.94(2010)
-More childless
Reasons for changes in child bearing patterns
-(more kids outside marriage)= declining stigma & increased coh eg only 28% 25-34yr think marriage should come before parenthood
-(Later age, less kids, childless)= W now have more options than motherhood. Many seek careers before parenthood
Lone parent family patterns
-1 in 4 children live in LPF
-Over 90% headed by lone mothers
-Until early 1990s- divorced W were biggest group of lone mothers
-From early 1990s single (never married) overtook
-LPF children 2x more likely in poverty than 2 parent homes
Reasons for patterns in LPF
-Has risen due to inc divorce, separation, never-married W (decl stigma)
-In past, death of a parent was a common reason, no longer very significant
Why do LPF tend to be female headed?
-Widespread believed W by nature are suited to expressive role
-Divorce courts usually give W custody
-M may be less willing to give up work to care for children
What are the arguments for women being single by choice?
-Many female LPF choose to as they may not wish to marry, cohabit or just wish for little involvement from the father
-cashmore: some wc M chose to live on benefits, often due to past abuse
-Feminist ideas/ opportunities may also encourage never-married LPF
Murray (lone parenthood, welfare state, poverty)
-New right: see growth in LPF due to an over-generous welfare state
-Has created a ‘perverse incentive’-it rewards irresponsible childbearing
-Creates a dependency culture, ppl assume the state will support them
What is Murray’s solution to fixing the growth in LPF
-Abolish welfare payments, reduce dependency&Births outside marriage
What do critiques of the new right think?
-Argue welfare benefits are far from generous, LPF more likely in poverty:
-Lack of affordable childcare- prevents working-60% are unemployed
-Most LP are W- generally earn less than men
-Failure of father to pay maintenance
How many fewer births were there in 2013 compared to 1960?
222,000
What are the trends to do with stepfamilies?
-Account for over 10% of families
-Similar to first families-childcare ect(positive) but higher risk of poverty
Allan & Crow (step families)
-Some Face problems of divided loyalties and issues such as contact with non-resistant parents. Can cause tensions.
What are the reasons for patterns in step families
-They’re formed when LPF form relationships, so divorce ect
-more children from W, as she’s likely to get custody
-Greater risk of poverty- often more children
-Tension-lack of clear social norms about behaviour for these families
What are some significant ethnic differences in family patterns
-Imm since 1950s helped create diversity
-2011 consensus: 14% ethnic minorities- Main groups Asian/asian british (7.5%), Black/Black british (2.2%), Mixed (2.2%)
-Has contributed to changing family patterns in the UK
What type of family structure is Black caribbean/african predominantly
-LPF, (2012-over 1/2) compared to on, 1in9 Asian
-High rate sometimes seen as evidence of family disorganisation that can be traced back to slavery or recently high unemployment of B men (less able to support family)
Mirza (black womens independence)
-Say higher rate of LPF not due to disorganisation but higher value black women place on independence
Asian family structure patterns
-Bangladeshi, pakistan and indian homes tend to be larger than others.
-sometimes contain 3 generations, most are nucleur tho
-Partly result of younger age profile- childbearing age
-Sometimes reflects value placed on extended fam in asian culture
Ballard (practical reasons for extended family)
Provided an important source of support in 1950s&60s among asian migrants
-In this period the often shared houses
-Later on, although most asian homes were nuclear, lived nearby & visited
Describe the existence of the extended family today
-Existence among minority ethnic groups raises questions of how widespread or important it is in the Uk today.
Funct: Parsons saw it as dominant in pre-industrial soc, now it’s nucleur
While the ext fam is declining its not extinct, Wilmott argues…
-It continues as a ‘dispersed extended family’.
Ie geographically separated but maintain frequent contact via visits/phone
Early research in Swansea found… (1968 Ext fam)
-Both wc and mc families had emotional&support bonds w/ kin
Mc: more financial help from father to son
Wc:had more frequent contact (lived closer) & more domestic help from
mothers to daughters
(Bell)
What is the ‘beanpole family’
-Particular type of extended family that Bells findings suggested it’s importance.
-Its extended vertically: via 3+ generations
-Not extended horizontally:not aunts, uncles, cousins ect
What is the beanpole family a result of?
-Increased life expectancy: means more surviving grandparents & great grandparents
-Smaller family sizes: mean people have fewer siblings and thus fewer horizontal ties
Finch and Mason (obligations to relatives)
Despite the rise of the beanpole family, many still feel a sense of obligation to help the wider extended kin.
-Found that over 90% of people had given or received financial help, and about half had cared for a sick relative.
-More expected of women over men
-Principle of balance is also important – people felt that help received should be returned to avoid any feelings of indebtedness
Cheal (systematic divisions of care)
-Personal care for an elderly woman is preferred by a daughter/daughter in-law (but is dependent) if husband is not available (Sons is rarely chosen)
-But daughters rarely chosen as an appropriate person to provide money
What does the evidence overall suggest about the extended family
-It continues to play an important role for many people today, providing both practical & emotional support when called upon.
-However this is very different from Parsons classic extended family, whose members lived and worked together and were bound by strong mutual obligations
(Nevertheless some sense of obligation remains at least to some kin and as a last resort in times of crisis)
