Family Diversity Flashcards
What are the 5 reasons for an increase in divorce rates?
Changes in the law
Declining stigma
Secularisation
Rising expectations of marriage
Changes in the position of women
When was the Divorce Reform Act introduced?
1969
What did the Divorce Reform Act allow?
It allowed people to get a divorce if they had been separated for more than two years
Who is the theorist for declining stigma in divorce?
Juliet Mitchell and Jack Goody
What does declining stigma for divorce mean?
That people found it more socially acceptable for couples to resort to divorce and it became more accepted within society
What is secularisation?
The decline in the influence of religion in society
Why did secularisation have an influence on divorce?
Churches don’t allow divorce and people were influenced by religious teachings not to get a divorce but due to secularisation, divorce was more accepted
Who is the theorist for rising expectations of marriage being a reason for divorce?
Fletcher
Why was rising expectations of marriage a reason for divorce?
People have an ideology of romantic love but this may not be fulfilled because they are expecting them to experience that themselves so get a divorce
Why was changes in the position of women a reason for divorce?
Women no longer have to be financially dependent on their husbands as they could get jobs and make their own money. This meant that they can get a divorce as they can afford to live on their own
What are examples of changes in the position of women?
Narrowed the pay gap
Equal pay act
Sex discrimination act
Welfare benefits
Success in education
What do feminists say about the reason for divorce?
Women now have a dual burden or triple shift to deal with which causes conflict
What is the dual burden?
women having to do paid work and housework
What is the triple shift?
Women performing emotional work, paid work and housework
Who are the 3 feminist theorists for the reasons for more divorce?
Hochschild
Sigle- Rushton
Bernard
What did Hochschild find about feminist reasons for divorce?
Men were resistant to housework and felt more valued at work than at home which causes frustration
What did Sigle- Rushton find about feminist reasons for divorce?
Divorce is less likely when more traditional values were put in place of women staying at home and men going to work
What did Bernard find about feminist reasons for divorce?
Women are more confident rejecting patriarchal ideas within marriage so become dissatisfied with the marriage
Who are the theorists for modernity and individualisation?
Beck and Giddens
Why has modernity and individualisation become a reason for divorce?
There has been a shift in norms meaning that marriage is there for personal fulfillment and not to benefit society which normalises divorce
What are the 4 reasons for marriages increasing?
Secularisation
Decline in stigma to alternatives
Changes in the position of women
Fear of divorce
How has secularisation influenced people to not get married?
People are now free to choose what type of relationship they want as they don’t have to follow traditional values set by the church
How has a decline in stigma influenced people to not get married?
There are many other alternatives such as co-habitation, staying single or having children outside of marriage which is now acceptable
How has the changes in position of women influenced people to not get married?
Women are now financially independent so have the freedom not to marry as they can afford to look after themselves
Who’s study could support the changes in the position of women to influence them to not get married and how?
McRobbies as her comparisons of magazines show that in the 1970’s, there was a stress on the importance of family whereas in 1990 they emphasised the importance of a job
How has the fear of divorce influenced people to not get married?
Seeing other people going through a traumatic divorce puts people off getting married in the first place
What is cohabitation?
When an unmarried couple in a sexual relationship are living together
What are the 3 reasons for the increase in cohabitation?
Decline in stigma
Changes in the position of women
Secularisation
Why has a decline in stigma caused an increase in cohabitation?
It is more accepted for couples to want to live together with no intention of getting married and pre-marital sex has also been accepted more
Why has the changes in the position of women caused an increase in cohabitation?
There are more career opportunities meaning that women don’t require as much financial security
How has secularisation caused an increase in cohabitation?
Young people with no religion were more likely to cohabit than religious people as it goes against the traditional religious values
What are the 3 reasons for an increase in same sex couples?
Legal changes
Decline in stigma
Secularisation
Who is the theorist for same sex couples?
Stonewall
What is a same sex couple?
A couple of the same sex in a romantic and sexual relationship
When were homosexuals decriminalised?
1967
When were same sex couples legally allowed to marry?
2014
What act allowed same sex couples to have the same rights as heterosexual couples?
Civil Partnerships Act
What year did the Civil Partnerships Act come into effect?
2004
What did the Civil Partnerships Act allow?
The same legal rights to do with pensions, inheritance and property
Why has secularisation allowed more same sex relationships?
It is no longer seen as a sin to be homosexual as people are less religious
What are the 3 reasons for more one person households?
Divorce patterns
Marriage patterns
Creative single hood
Why have marriage patterns led to one person households?
Many people are remaining single or marrying later so live alone
Who is the theorist for creative single hood being a reason for one person households?
Stein
What is a creative single hood?
Deliberately wanting to live alone
What is living apart together?
Couples who decide to live separately
What are the 3 reasons for an increase in living apart together?
Decline in stigma
Changing position of women
Limited finances
Why does a decline in stigma mean more people living apart together?
Its more socially acceptable for couples to not live together and people believe you don’t need to live together to have a strong relationship
How does the change in position of women mean more people living apart together?
Women are now financially independent so can afford to live alone
Why does limited finances mean more people living apart together?
Couples may not have the money to live together
What are the 2 reasons for women having less children?
Decline in stigma
Changes in the position of women
What are the 2 reasons for more lone parent families?
Changes in the position of women
Increase in divorce
Why are more lone parent families female headed?
Courts
Impact of feminism
How has the welfare state contributed to more lone parent families?
Murray- the welfare state is overgenerous so people can afford to look after a child on their own
What is a reconstituted family?
When lone parents form new partnerships together
What are 2 reasons for the increase in reconstituted families?
Divorce
Courts
What kind of families are most found in black families?
Lone parent families
What are the 2 reasons for lone parent families in lone parent families?
Family disorganisation
High rates of unemployment
What is family disorganisation within black families?
When slavery was around, families would be split up when they were being sold
Why do high rates of unemployment mean an increase in lone parent families among black families?
Black men are unable to provide for their families meaning there is more of a chance of marital breakdown
What kind of families are found within asian families?
Extended families
What are the 2 reasons for more extended families among asians?
The younger age profile of British asians
Socialisation
Why do younger asians mean more extended families?
More of them are of a childbearing age as they are younger
Why does socialisation mean more extended families in asian households?
They are socialised into a value placed on the extended family through culture and looking after elders
What theory believes that the nuclear family is under threat?
New Right
