Diversity of marriage

Question 1

Same-sex marriage

Answer 1

1967 - sexual offences act decriminalised homosexuality
2005 - same-sex civil partnership recognised by law
2014 - coalition government legalised same sex marriage
2002 - adoption and children act allowed same sex couples to have/adopt children

2022 - same-sex marriage performed/recognised in 33 countries
-Main argument for same-sex marriage is a civil rights and opportunities
-Still large objections to same sex marriage, mainly from religious ideology

New right Patricia Morgan - believes same-sex marriage has undermined morals and undermines the traditional nuclear family and stigmatise those against same-sex marriage

Question 2

Arranged marriage

Answer 2

-In subcultures of the UK, a significant majority of Asian people (Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs) practice arranged marriage
-Involves a mutual discussion of both parties with consent of both bride and groom
Robert Epstein (2011) investigated arranged marriages and suggests that they become more stable as time goes on, while love marriage can often deteriorate
He suggest this is because arranged marriages often involve a search for compatibility in goals, interests and beliefs, and involve the guidance of extended kin. This is less likely in love marriages

Question 3

Forced marriage

Answer 3

Forced marriages does still exist in the uk (2013 - 1,302)
-‘A marriage conducted without the valid consent of both parties whereas physical or emotional duress is a factor’
-Difficult to assess issue as victims are reluctant to come forward, may be fearful of consequences or do not want to shame families

Question 4

Cohabitation

Answer 4

-Living outside marriage or civil partnership, but living with a long term partner
-Number has doubled since 1996, fastest growing family types
-Cohabiting men under age of 60 has rose from 11% to 24% and then 13% to 25% for women

New right Patricia Morgan - worrying trend, led to more unhappy couples and are more likely to be abusive, threat to nuclear family

However, Beaujouan and Ni Bhrolchain (2011) believe it is now a normal aspect of life, believe marriage is not in decline but is being delayed for a period of cohabitation. Believe it makes marriage more successful, on the 10th anniversary of cohabiting, 50% of couples had gotten married

-Emphasised by divorce

Question 5

Reconstituted families

Answer 5

-Also known as step-families (at least one children from a previous union of one the partners)
-Mainly caused by divorce
-2013 - ONS - 8% of families were step-families
-1 in 3 in the UK is now a step-parent, stepchild, step-sibling or step-grandparent
De’Ath and Slater (1992): children may feel like they are split between parents, and are being disloyal
Martin (2013) - step-mothers can often become the cause of problems for many children who do not accept their new situation

Question 6

One parent families

Answer 6

-2012 - 24% of under 19s have lived in a one-parent household
2012 - 91% of single parent households are headed by women, with 9% with men, expected for women to take responsibility for children at end of marriage

-Mainly caused by change in social attitude towards marriage, a more serious and the delay of marriage
This delay has led to more single parent households, particularly due to the social change to increase the number of children outside

-NR - believe it undermines the nuclear family, creates an economic burden as they become dependent on the welfare state