Changing Family Patterns

Question 1

What did Levin say about changing family patterns?

Answer 1

Levin (2004) said the traditional life course was compulsury until the 1960s.

Question 2

What did Parsons & Fletcher say about marriage?

Answer 2

Parsons & Fletcher said marriage is too valued. More is expected now and this has been a major cause of divorce. People no longer tolerate unhappy marriages.

Question 3

Who said ones with the dual birden were more likely to divorce?

What was the contrasting view?

Answer 3

Sigle-Rushton (2007)

Cook & Gash (2007) found no evidence for this, as working women is now the accepted norm.

Question 4

Give one feminist perspective on divorce

Answer 4

Jessie Bernard (1976) sees divorce rates as an acceptance of feminist ideas.

Question 5

Who says most people still get married at some point?

Answer 5

Bernades (1997)

Question 6

What did Coast say about marriage?

Answer 6

Coast (2006) said 75% of cohabitators say they are going to get married

Question 7

What did Burgoyne & Clark say about marriage?

Answer 7

Burgoyne & Clark (1984) said cohabitation is not a permenant alternative.

Question 8

What was Gibson’s perspective on marriage?

Answer 8

Gibson (1994) said there has been increasing individuality. This means people are now free to seek an alternative.

The decline in religion has weakened the belief that binds a couple together.

Question 9

Who said “same-sex relationships have ‘chosen families’ which are just as stable and secure”

Answer 9

Weeks (1999)

Question 10

What are some reasons for the increase in divorce rates?

Answer 10

• Less stigma surrounding divorce
• More freedom and choice
• Self-fufilling prophecy - expect to divorce
• Changing position of women
• Changes in law
• Secularisation

Question 11

What are three changes in law that led to an increase in divorce?

Answer 11

1923 - Women can now file for divorce

1949 - Became cheaper

1971 - Grounds for divorce widened

Question 12

What is the dual-birden

Answer 12

This is where women perform both the paid work and domestic work.

Question 13

What did Hoschild say about divorce?

Answer 13

Hoschild (1977) with 2 working people in a relationship, there is less energy available to sort out problems.

Question 14

Give three trends in marriage

Answer 14

• Marriage is being delayed
• Remarriage is rising
• Marriage rates are falling

Question 15

What has happened to marriage rates since 1970?

Answer 15

They have halfed

Question 16

What has happened to the number of religious ceremonies?

Answer 16

In 2017, only 22% of all marriages were religious ceremonies

Question 17

What are four trends of parents + children?

Answer 17

• Children are being born later
• Women are having fewer children
• Being born more outside of marriage (50%)
• More remaining childless

Question 18

How much was it predicted in 2004 that one child would cost?

Answer 18

Hirsch (2004) said it would cost £154,000 to raise a child 1-18. Definitely more than this now.

Question 19

What are some features of same-sex families?

Answer 19

• Still rare in society today (5-7% in 2012)
• Decriminialised in 1967, marriage legalised in 2014
• Most involve two women

Question 20

What is an LAT?

Answer 20

Living Apart Together (LAT) is where a couple is separated geographically for reasons such as cost, work, family etc. Estimated 2m in 2005.

Question 21

What % of families are step-families (reconstituted families)

Answer 21

1/3 (33.3%)

Question 22

What are some reasons for the increase in lone parent families?

Answer 22

• Greater independence of women
• Increased suppport from the welfare state
• Reproductive technology

Question 23

What is Murray’s view on step families?

Answer 23

Murray thinks the increase in lone parents is due to an ‘overgenerous welfare state’ giving a ‘peverse incentive’ to individuals.