CHANGING PATTERNS IN FAMILY LIFE-CHANGES TO ADULT RELATIONSHIPS Flashcards
discuss how changes to divorce laws has changed adult relationships
-Divorces in the past were not available to the average person until 1857 and when it was made there was a gender divide in who could access it
-In the past couples had to prove their partner had committed a matrimonial offence (crime against marriage ) to access a divorce
-gradual changes have happened overtime
-Divorce reform act 1969 was most significant.Removed notion that a marriage could only be terminated if one or both partners committed an offence against their marriage, acknowledged that relationships can just break down
eg-partner falling out of love
-Led to rise in divorces and could be connected to a decline in marriage rates and shift in cohabitation (sexual relationship living together but not legally married)
-Couples can see how accessible a divorce is, creates fear of divorce among younger generations
-couples take the view now that there is no point in marriage as risk of divorce is too high, so couples choose to cohabit long term
-so that if relationship doesn’t last it will easier and cheaper and less of a stigma to bring it to an end than if they were married
evaluation of changes to divorce
law wasn’t just the reason as its easier to access, people may of been unhappy
Discuss how changing attitudes and decline in stigma has changed family life
Stigma:negative or shameful label which is applied to a certain action
- in the past certain things were stigmatised in adult relationships which meant people were reluctant to them
1) Divorce was regarded as shameful, people were reluctant to admit their marriage had failed as they were judged for not fulfilling their vows and commitment to one another - likely in the past that people would have tolerated empty shell or loveless marriages to save face rather than admit their marriage had failed
- Sense of shame has declined and people are beginning to celebrate divorce, companies produce congratulations cards for those who break away from partners
2) Concern of women being single in their late 20s.People looked upon such women with suspicion, questioning femininity if they chose to pursue education or employment over finding a husband. - women in their 30s without a family were labelled as spinsters who had been ‘left on the shelf’
- However feminists argue society has undergone a gender quake.Feel less pressure to rush into marriage and no longer judged for being single for longer
- stigma has reversed with younger women instead being questioned if they choose to settle down in their early twenties
3) Co habitation in the past was a big no.Living with a partner outside marriage was unheard of and some businesses like hoteliers would even refuse couples services if they thought they were trying to book a room unmarried - Stigma has declined,90% of couples move into together without being married first.Due to the fact that partners want to get to know each other before committing to marriage
evaluation of changing attitudes and decline in stigma
women are still questioned about relationship plans if not married by a certain age
Discuss how secularisation has changed family life
Secularisation:decline in religious authority in society
Association of religion found that 30% of people in Britain do not identify as a faith group which as impacted adult relationships.
-Marriages and weddings were traditionally affiliated with religion.Today fewer than a third of all weddings in the UK have a christian service
-people today no longer have faith so less value on marriage, people would say vows in front of god, decline in god.
-Links to rise in divorce rates.In the past people would of been casted out of their faith group if they were to divorce
-Church of England has softened its views on divorce.People feel freerer to make decisions which are right for them and not controlled by religion,leaving people to access divorce if they need to
Church and god have less control over peoples choices so feel much freerer
evaluation of securlisation
some religious groups such as muslims religion may still be an influence in relationship choices
discuss how rising expectations of marriage changes patterns in family life
FLETCHER:
-over the years couples have created a culture of romantic love:people expect to be treated with love, care and respect by their partner
-people wish to see visible evidence of their partners commitment to through gestures words actions
-If romance isn’t being shown, people won’t tolerate it and will leave the relationship long term->increase divorce rates
ALLEN AND CROW:
-marital relationships are based on satisfaction and commitment and if this isn’t met it is a justification for how relationships end
BECK AND GIDDEN:
-individualisation:people today are far more focused on their individual needs and put their own needs first above their partner and relationship
-pure relationships:main purpose of relationship is to satisfy each other rather than fulfil certain duties or obligations.People also expect their partner to provide them with a fulfilling relationship
-Confluent love:relationship is alright for now but people will move onto someone else if the relationship stops meeting their needs
All contribute to increase in divorce rates
Impacts marriage and cohabitation too as people are more individualistic so people are put off marriage as they regard it as a contract in which they must make compromises
evaluation of rising exceptions of marriage
marriage was a source of economic stability for women regardless if the relationship was unsatisfying
Discuss how changing position of women has changed patterns In the family
-society has undergone a gender quake
-feminsation of the economy
-women today have much greater financial independence.Women earn their own wage which has reduced the need for women to marry for security purposes->decline in marriage as women dont need to rely on a man and lead to increase in divorce as women can walk away from marriages knowing they can financially support themselves
-Women are less tolerant of the dual burden of paid work and domestic work.Women who work full-time are frustrated they take on majority of household responsibilities
HOCHSCHILD:adds that married women who also work having these seperate roles to play opens their eyes to mistreatment the face at home whereas at work women are valued and not taken for granted
BERNARD: women are becoming more conscious of the presence of patriarchy in society.Women are no longer tolerant of male dominance so women reject marriage altogether
Evaluation of changing position of women
not all women benefit from genderquake, ethnic minority women still marry early
