Divorce

Question 1

Define ‘Divorce’

Answer 1

the legal dissolution of marriage by a court or other competent body

Question 2

Define ‘Separation’

Answer 2

financial & legal affairs of couple which are separated but remain married and not free to re-marry

Question 3

Define ‘Empty-shell marriages’

Answer 3

couple continue to live together under same household but live as separate individuals and remain married through name only

Question 4

Factors which contribute to Likelihood of Divorce

Answer 4

1) Year of Marriage: Age which people marry have been increasing. In Population Trends shown those marrying when older have lower risk of divorce.

2)Whether Married Before: 2011, 70% divorces when both pupils were in their first marriages, whereas 30% at least one pupil had been divorced or widowed previously

Question 5

List some Divorce Legislation

Answer 5

1949 Legal Aid and Advice Act:
- Provided free legal advice and paid solicitors’ fees to those who couldn’t afford it.

1923 Ground of Divorce Equalised for Men and Women:
- Allowed both men and women to file for divorce

Question 6

State the reasons for the Patterns and Trends which contribute to Divorce

Answer 6

1) Changes in Divorce Legislation
2) Change in Social Attitudes
3) Secularisation

Question 7

What does Sociologist Fletcher argue about the increase of divorce?

Answer 7

It’s indicative and reflective of higher expectations attached to marriage rather than declining social significance.

Question 8

What do feminists view Sociologist Fletchers argument?

Answer 8

Critical.
Argue that the oppression of women within marriage is the main case of marital conflict and divorce

Question 9

What are the ‘New Right’ view of high divorce rates?

Answer 9

Undesirable.
It undermines the traditional nuclear family.
They view divorce creates an underclass of welfare-department

Question 10

What are the ‘Feminists’ view of high divorce rates?

Answer 10

Disagree.
View high divorce rates as desirable because it shows that women are breaking free from the oppression of patriarchal nuclear family

Question 11

How does the Changing Role of Women contribute to the increasing rate of Divorce?

Answer 11

Women are more likely to be paid in work as the pay gap has narrowed and they have greater success within education.

In modern society women have greater financial independence and there is more state help for lone-parent families.

Question 11

List the 3 categories of ‘Marital breakdown’

Answer 11

• Divorce
• Separation
• Empty-shell marriages

Question 12

State what Sociologist Bernard believes.

Answer 12

believes that women are more conscious of patriarchal oppression and are more confident rejecting it.

Question 13

Why does Sociologist Bernard believe that women are more confident rejecting patriarchal oppression?

Answer 13

Through the rise in divorce rates, most divorce petitions come from women suggesting they are accepting feminist ideas.