Divorce

Question 1

Key Trends

Answer 1

Divorce rate rose from 1961 to 1993, then fell by 2012- however fewer marriges
About 50% of marriages end in divorce (2012), doubled from about 25% (1974)
One of the highest divorce rates in Europe

Question 2

Reasons for Increase

Changes in the Law

Answer 2

Divorce Law Reform Act (1971)- Irretrievable breakdown ground for divorce, as well as 2 years of separation (5 if one party doesn’t consent)
Matrimonal and Family Proceedings Act (1984)- Couple petition for divorce after only 1 year of marriage
Family Law Act (1996)- Had to wait 18 months, compulsory marriage counselling

Question 3

Reasons for Increase

Changing Role of Women

Answer 3

Around 2/3 of divorce petitions initiated by women
Feminists argue women’s expactations of life + quality of relationships have risen, less likely to accept patriarchal marriage or sacrifices
Employment increased- less financial dependence

Question 4

Reasons for Increase

Rising Expectation of Marriage

Answer 4

Parsons + Fletcher- divorce rate risen as couples expect more
Love and personal fulfillment important
Growing privatisation + isolation from extended kin
Higher divorce rates reflect better quality in surviving marriages- high remarriage rate

Question 5

Reasons for Increase

Secularisation

Answer 5

Decline of religious belief
Guode + Gibson- marriage became less of a sacred, spiritual union and more a personal committment
Less than a third involve a religious ceremony, church takes less rigid view of divorce

Question 6

Reasons for Increase

Changing Social Attitudes

Answer 6

Postmodernist, Beck and Beck-Gernsheim- rising divorce rates product of individualisation
Giddens- Confluent love and personal fulfillment important
Growing social acceptance of divorce, people less afraid of consquences

Question 7

Reasons of Increase

Contraception

Answer 7

Safer to have sex outside of marriage, or with more than one person
Weakens constraints on marital fidelity, greater instability

Question 8

Reasons for Increase

Growth of Privatised Nuclear Family

Answer 8

Functionalists- growing privatisation, no longer as easy to seek advice or refuge with family
Isolation increases demand on partners
Less social pressure from kin to retain marriage ties

Question 9

Reasons for Increase

Reduced Functions

Answer 9

Functionalists (Parsons)- functions of family transferred to other social institutions
Traditional marriage less of a necessity, fewer bonds linking partners
If love disappears, nothing holding marriage together

Question 10

Reasons for Increase

Increased Life Expectancy

Answer 10

Potential number of years for couple to be together increased
More time for marriages to go wrong + divorces to occur