Family Diversity Flashcards
What are two trends in the divorce rate since the 1960’s in the UK?
Any two from: -
(i) A significant increase in the number of divorces in the United Kingdom.
The number of divorces doubled between 1961 and 1969, and doubled again by 1972, peaking in the late 1990s.
(ii) Divorce has declined since the 1990’s, but is still about six times higher than in 1961.
(iii) About 65% of petitions (applications) for divorce now come from women.
Name two changes in the law since the 1960’s, that have affected the divorce rate in the UK.
Any two from: -
(i) Divorce Reform Act 1969
(ii) Matrimonial & Family Proceedings Act 1984
(iii) Family Law Act 1996
(iv) Appeal Court Ruling 2007
Name three other reasons to explain the increase in the divorce rate, except for changes in the law.
Any three from: -
(i) Declining stigma
(ii) Secularisation
(iii) Rising expectations of marriage
(iv) Changing position of women
(v) Acceptance of feminist ideas & dissatisfaction with patriarchal marriage
(vi) Modernity & individualisation - more fragile relationships
How do New Right & Feminist theorists disagree regarding whether they view the high divorce rate in the UK?
The New Right see a high divorce rate as undesirable because it undermines the traditional nuclear family. Whereas, Feminists see a high divorce rate as desirable because it shows that women are breaking from the oppression of the patriarchal nuclear family.
Why might the ‘fear’ of divorce lead to some people rejecting the notion of marriage? Give three reasons.
Any three from: -
(i) Fear of how others may perceive their marriage
(ii) Worrying about having children
(iii) Fears about what their family may think
(iv) Knowing their parents had a negative experience of marriage
(v) Having too high an expectation of marriage
How do the two studies by McRobbie and Sharpe, support the view that women have greater freedom not to marry at such a young age today?
(i) Angela McRobbie - positive role models in female magazines, raise girls aspirations in education/career
(ii) Sue Sharpe - changing priorities of young females compared to their mother’s generation, prioritising education/career ahead of getting married & starting a family
According to Chester, how is cohabitation a ‘stepping stone’ to marriage?
Cohabitation is viewed as a trial marriage and the couple intend to marry if it goes well. Most cohabiting couples decide to marry if they have children. In some cases, cohabitation is a temporary phase before marriage because one or both partners are awaiting a divorce.
Explain two legal changes this century, that have made it easier for homosexual couples to marry and start a family.
(i) The Marriage Act (2014): same-sex couples are now able to legally marry in the UK
(ii) The Adoption & Children Act (2002): same-sex couples have the same right to adopt as married couples
How does ‘creative singlehood’ lead to a rise in single-person households?
A growing number of people are opting for ‘creative singlehood’ — the deliberate choice to live alone.
Explain why New Right theorists, such as Charles Murray, are concerned about the growth in lone-parent families in the UK.
Murray argues that an overgenerous Welfare State providing benefits, has created a ‘perverse incentive’; that is, it rewards irresponsible behaviour, such as having children without being able to provide for them. The Welfare State creates a ‘dependency culture’ in which people assume that the state will support them and their children.
