Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Sociology - Families And Households > Changing Patterns > Flashcards

Changing Patterns Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What are the different changes in family patterns?

A

1) . Divorce.
2) . Marriage.
3) . Cohabitation.
4) . Lone-parent households.
5) . The extended family.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What has been the trend in the number of divorces since the 1960s?

A

1961 - 1969 = doubled.

1969 - 1972 = doubled again.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which year did the number of divorces peak?

A

1972 = 165,000.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What happened to the number of divorces in 2012?

A

Fallen = 118,000.

  • due to = fewer people are marrying (choosing to cohabitate instead).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What percentage of marriages end in a divorce?

A

40%.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What percentage of divorces come from women?

A

65%.

1947 = 37%.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the explanations for the increase in divorce?

A

1) . Changes in the law.
2) . Declining stigma and changing attitudes.
3) . Secularisation.
4) . Higher expectations of marriage.
5) . Women’s increased financial independence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the 3 kinds of changes in the laws that made divorce easier for women in the 20th Century?

A

1) . Equalising the grounds for divorce between the sexes.
2) . Widening the grounds for divorce (making divorce easier to obtain).
3) . Making divorce cheaper.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

When did these law changes occur?

A
  • Equalising the grounds = 1923.
  • Widening the ground = 1971.
  • Making divorce cheaper (legal aid) = 1949.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is stigma?

A

Negative label, disapproval or shame attached to a person or group.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What has caused the decline in stigma?

A

Churches used to condemn divorce, however, churches have a lower influence in society now.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How has the decline in stigma led to an increase of divorce?

A

Divorce has become more accepted =

  • people are more likely to resort to it.
  • normalising divorce further reduces the stigma.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is secularisation?

A

The decline in the influence of religion in society.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How has secularisation led to an increase of divorce?

A

Churches oppose divorce =

  • many people aren’t influenced by the church to get divorced or not.
  • churches are gradually accepting divorce, making it easier.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Who says higher expectations of marriage has led to more divorce?

A

Fletcher (19660 - functionalist.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How has higher expectations of marriage led to an increase in divorce?

A

Before =

people married with little choice, the family was a unit of consumption.

Now =

people marry for love, if love dies, people divorce; people are more dissatisfied with marriage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Why are functionalists optimistic about marriage?

A

The high rate of re-marriage shows divorcees haven’t fully rejected marriage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How has women’s greater financial independence led to an increase in divorce?

A
  • Women are now in paid work.
  • More lone-parent families.
  • This makes women less economically dependent on men, so can afford divorce.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the feminist explanation on divorce?

A
  • Women perform a dual burden at home.
  • Although their position has improved at work, if has been sow at home.
  • So women perform a triple shift (unequal).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What does Hochschild (1997) say the reason for higher divorces are?

A
  • Women are unequal at home (men are reluctant to do housework).
  • This makes marriage unstable and women get frustrated.
  • So they want a divorce.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What statistics does the feminist explanation help explain?

A

Why 70% of divorce petitions are from women.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Who proposes the modernity reason for divorce?

A

Beck and Giddens (1992).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the modernity explanation for more divorces?

A

Greater individualisation.

  • traditional norms (having the same partner for life) lose their hold.
  • so people become unwilling to stay married if their marriage fails.
  • people pursue self-interest instead.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What does the New Right say the effects of divorce is on society?

A
  • it undermines the nuclear family (need for social stability).
  • creates an underclass of welfare-dependent female lone-parents who are a burden.
  • these lone-parents inadequately socialise their children.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What do feminists say the effects of divorce is on society?

A

Desirable =

  • shows women breaking free from patriarchy.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What do postmodernists say the effects of divorce is on society?

A
  • shows freedom of individuals to choose to end a relationship.
  • see it as a major cause of family diversity.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is the Interactionist perspective on divorce?

A

Aim to understand its meaning to the individual.

  • can’t generalise it’s meaning.
  • domestic violence; it can be good to have a divorce.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is the personal life perspective on divorce?

A

It can cause financial and childcare issues =

  • however, it has become ‘normalised’, and we should see it as a transitional life course (positive).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What statistics show fewer people are marrying?

A

2012 = 175,000 (half of 1970).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What statistics show there are more re-marriages?

A

2012 = 1/3 of all marriages were re-marriages.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is meant by ‘serial-monogamy’?

A

A pattern of marriage - divorce - re-marriage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What statistics show people are marrying later?

A

Average age of marriage rose by 7 years from 1971 to 2012.

  • 32 for men.
  • 30 for women.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What statistics show less people are marrying in churches?

A

1981 = 60%.

2012 = 30%.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What are the patterns (trends) of marriage?

A

1) . Fewer people are marrying.
2) . More re-marriages.
3) . People are marrying later.
4) . Less marriages in churches.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What are the reasons for these trends of marriage?

A

1). Changing attitudes to marriage =

less pressure to marry, more freedom to choose.

2). Alternatives =

cohabitation as it is less stigmatised now.

3). Women’s economic independence =

less dependent, giving them freedom not to marry.

4). Impact of feminism =

some women see marriage as a patriarchal institution.

5). Rising divorce rates =

put some women off marrying.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What is the reason for more re-marriages?

A

More divorce means more divorcees available to re-marry.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is the reason for later marriages?

A

Young people spend longer in education, and usually choose cohabitation before marriage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What is the reason for fewer church weddings?

A
  • Secularisation.

- Some churches not marrying divorcees.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is cohabitation?

A

An unmarried couple in a sexual relationship living together.

40
Q

What is the trend in cohabitation?

A

Increasing, whilst marriages are decreasing.

41
Q

How many cohabitated heterosexual couples are there in Britain?

A
  1. 9 million.

- double the number in 1996.

42
Q

How many cohabitated homosexual couples are there in Britain?

A

69,000.

43
Q

What is meant by ‘serial cohabitants’?

A

Cohabitants with one or more previous cohabitants.

  • about 1/5 of cohabitants are ‘serial’.
44
Q

What are the reasons for the increase in cohabitation?

A

1). Decline in stigma attached to outside marriage sex =

partly due to secularisation.

2). Women’s improved economic position =

don’t need the financial security of marriage.

3). Secularisation =

non-religious young people are more likely to cohabitate.

45
Q

What does Chester argue about cohabitation?

A

For most people, it’s part of the process of getting married.

46
Q

What may cohabitation be?

A

1). Trial marriage =

if all goes well, then marriage is after cohabitation.

2). An alternative to marriage =

couples who see marriage as patriarchal may prefer to cohabitate.

47
Q

What did Shelton and John (1993) find about housework in cohabitated couples?

A

Women tend to do less housework.

48
Q

According to Stonewall, what percentage of adults are in a same-sex relationship?

A

5-7%.

49
Q

Why is it hard to judge whether there is an increase in homosexual relationships?

A

Because in the past it was heavily stigmatised and illegal.

50
Q

What year was homosexuality decriminalised?

A

1967 - for consenting adults over 21.

51
Q

How does Weeks (19990 describe gay couples?

A

Acceptance is leading to more stable relationships, increasing cohabitation.

  • they create families based on ‘friendship as kinship’.
52
Q

What is the trend in one-person households?

A

Increasing

  • 2013 = 3/10 households (3x of that in 1961).
53
Q

What percentage of one-person households are over 65?

A

40%.

54
Q

By 2033, what percentage of adults will be single?

A

30%.

55
Q

What is the reason for the increase in one-person households?

A

Separation and divorce =

  • especially men under 65.
  • after divorce, they are more likely to move out of the home, leaving the children with the mother.
56
Q

What is the trend in childbearing?

A

1) . More children born outside of marriage.
2) . Women are having children later.
3) . Women are having fewer children than in the 20th Century.
4) . More women are remaining childless.

57
Q

How many children are born outside of marriage?

A

Nearly half (47%) –> 5x more than in 1971.

58
Q

What statistics show that women are having children later?

A

Between 1971 and 2012 =

  • average age of birth rose by 4 years to 28.1 years.
59
Q

What statistics show that women are having fewer children?

A

Average children per women =

  • 1964 = 2.95.
  • 2001 = 1.63.
  • 2010 = 1.94 (slight increase).
60
Q

What shows women are remaining childless?

A

Predicted that =

  • 1/4 of those born in 1973 will be childless when they reach 45.
61
Q

What is the reasons for these childbearing changes?

A

1). Rise in babies outside of marriage =

decline in stigma and increased cohabitation.

2). Having children later, or remaining childless =

women have other options than just motherhood, many want a career first.

62
Q

What percentage of families are lone-parent?

A

1/4 of all families.

63
Q

What are the trends in lone-parent families?

A

1) . 90% headed by lone mothers.
- Until 1990s = divorced women biggest group of lone-parents.
- Early 1990s = single women biggest group.

64
Q

How many times more likely is a child in lone-parents families going to be in poverty?

A

2x.

65
Q

What is the reasons for this pattern of lone-parent families?

A

1) . Increase divorce.

2) . Decline in stigma of births outside of marriage.

66
Q

Why doe lone-parent families tend to be female headed?

A

1) . Belief that women are suited to the expressive role.
2) . Divorce courts tend to give custody to mothers.
3) . Men tend to be less willing to give up work than women.
4) . Women may choose to be single.

67
Q

According to Murray (New Right), what is the reason for the increase in lone-parent families?

A

Over-generous welfare benefits =

  • encourage the increase of lone-parent families.
68
Q

According to Murray, what has the generous welfare benefits led to?

A

A ‘perverse incentive’ =

  • rewards irresponsible behaviour (having children without the ability to afford them).
69
Q

What does Murray say the solution is to get rid of the ‘dependency culture’?

A

To abolish welfare benefits.

70
Q

What are the criticisms of the New Right perspective on lone-parent families?

A

1) . Welfare benefits aren’t generous –> they are 2x more likely to be in poverty.
- 60% are unemployed.
- women tend to earn less.
- fathers tend to fail to pay maintenance, making them poor.

71
Q

What percentage of families are step (reconstituted) families?

A

Over 10%.

72
Q

What percentage of stepfamilies have children from the woman’s previous relationship?

A

85%.

  • 11% are from the males.
73
Q

What did Ferri and Smith (1998) find about stepfamilies?

A

Very similar to first families (childcare and childbearing = positive).

  • But at a greater risk of poverty.
74
Q

What did Allan and Crow (2001) find about the issues with stepfamilies?

A

Contact with the children’s other parent can cause tension.

75
Q

What are the reasons for stepfamilies?

A

1) . Same as those causing lone-parent families (increase separation and divorce).
2) . Children are more likely to remain with the mother when a break up occurs.

76
Q

Why are stepfamilies at a greater risk of poverty?

A
  • Often have more children (from 2 families).

- May have to support children from previous relationships.

77
Q

What are the main ethnic differences in family patterns?

A

1) . More black lone parents.

2) . Larger Asian households.

78
Q

What percentage of lone-parent families are black?

A

51%

  • White = 23%.
  • Asian = 11%.
79
Q

What are the reasons for high rates of female-headed black lone-parent families?

A

1). Legacy of slavery =

women stayed with the mother, carried on as a life pattern.

2). Black male unemployment =

less able to provide for the family - resulting in marital breakdown.

3). Black women’s pride on independence.

80
Q

What is the average family size of Asian families?

A
  1. 4, 4.3 and 3 persons per household.

- compared with 2.4 of black Caribbean and white British households.

81
Q

What are the reasons for the large Asian families?

A

1). Younger age =

in the childbearing age demographic.

2). Need for assistance when migrating =

extended families were a source of support when migrating.

82
Q

What is the main family type of Asian families?

A

Nuclear - with frequent visiting a source of kinship support.

83
Q

What is the functionalist perspective on the extended family?

A

Parsons =

  • industrialisation = replaced it with the nuclear family.
84
Q

How does Willmott (1988) describe the extended family?

A

It hasn’t fully disappeared =

  • it exists as a ‘dispersed extended family’.
85
Q

According to Willmott, what is a dispersed extended family?

A

Relatives are geographically separated but maintain frequent contact through visit and phone calls.

86
Q

What does Brannen (2003) say a ‘beanpole’ family is?

A

Extended vertically =

  • involved 3+ generations: grandparents, parents, children.
  • but no horizontal (aunts, uncles, etc).
87
Q

What study supports the ‘beanpole’ family view?

A

Bell (1968) =

  • study of w/c and m/c families with emotional support from kins (children).
  • m/c = more financial support from father to son.
  • w/c = lived closer and more domestic help from mothers to daughters.
88
Q

What is the cause of the ‘beanpole’ family?

A

1). Increased life expectancy =

more surviving grandparents (also great grand…).

2). Smaller family sizes =

fewer siblings, so fewer horizontal ties.

89
Q

What is meant by obligations to relatives?

A
  • People still feel obliged to help their wider extended kin, despite the rise in the beanpole family.
90
Q

What did Finch and Mason (1993) find about people helping their extended kin?

A

Half of their sample had cared for a sick relative.

  • however, they found more is expected of females than males.
91
Q

What is the variability in what is expected of different relatives?

A

Cheal =

  • daughters = chosen for as caregivers for elderly.
  • sons = chosen to provide money.
92
Q

What did Mason (2011) find about relatives playing an equal part in helping relatives?

A
  • It depends on the history of their relationship.

- An the responsibilities they have –> gives them an ‘excuse’ not to be involved.

93
Q

What does the evidence suggest about the extended family?

A
  • It continues to play an important role in providing practical and emotional support.
94
Q

How does the evidence surrounding the support of the extended family contradict Parsons findings?

A

He found the extended family were in conflict of hierarchy during industrialisation, not in support.

95
Q

Overall, what are the main changing patterns of the family?

A

1). Increased divorce =

due to less stigma, secularisation and greater women’s independence.

2). Fewer marriages, but more re-marriages =

due to less stigma and secularisation, also more divorces put women off.

3). Increased cohabitation =

same reasons as fewer marriages.

4). Increased lone-parent families =

decreased stigma, welfare benefits and greater freedom.

5). Increased same-sex household =

due to greater acceptance and more policies for equality.

6). Increase one-person household =

due to having more childless women and greater divorce.

7). Women are having children later, or not at all.

due to putting a career first.

8). Increased stepfamilies =

due to more divorce and laws allowing women to file for divorce.

9). More black lone-parent families, larger Asian families =

due to support and history of slavery.

10). ‘Beanpole’ family =

due to increased life expectancy and smaller families.

Sociology - Families And Households (15 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions