FAMILY DIVERSITY Flashcards
1)To understand current patterns for marriage, cohabitation,divorce and remarriage. 2)To understand key reasons why these patterns have changed,including legal,cultural and social changes 3)To understand criticisms of the theories
Give 2 interpretations of why the divorce rate has risen
1) Functionalist- High divorce does not provide that marriage is declined . It may actually prove that expectations of marriages are higher as people seek the perfect role.(Ronald Fletcher)
2) Post-Modernist- A high divorce rate gives more people freedom, to choose to end relationships when they do not fit their needs anymore. This also leads to greater family diversity.
3) Feminist-High divorce rate is good it shows that women are breaking free from the oppression of the patriarchal nuclear family.
4) New Right- High divorce rate is bad as it undermines the traditional nuclear family and creates a welfare(dependent underclass of single-parent mums, leaving their sons without a father figure)
What are the 7 explanations for the increase in divorce?
1) Changes in the law
2) declining stigma and changing attitudes
3) Secularisation
4) Rising expectations of marriages
5) changes in the role of women
6) Feminist arguments
7) Modernity and Individualism
(changes in the law)What are the 3 main laws which began a change in the numbers of divorces?
1) 1923-Matrimonial Causes Act -Equalised grounds for divorce by men and women
2) 1949-The Legal assistance plan-provided legal aid to working class, lowering the cost of divorces
3) 1969 Divorce Reform Act-The idea of a matrimonial offence or ‘guilt party’ was abolished. Also known as ‘No-fault’ divorce which meant that couples no longer needed to prove adultery, abuse,desertion and they can claim ‘irreconcilable differences’.
(changes in the law)When did the 1969 Divorce Reform Act come into effect?
1971- whereby divorces quadrupled
Explain the stigma and changing attitudes towards divorces?
Divorce had a major stigma attached to it. For example church stand to condemn divorce and often refused to conduct marriage services involving divorce.
-In the 1930’s there was a rapid decline in this stigma as divorces have become ‘normalised’ and socially acceptable.
What is secularisation?
Decline in the influence of religion in society. Religious institutions and ideas are losing their influence , as less people are influenced by religious teachings when thinking about weather or not to get a divorce.
- Many churches have softened due to the fear of losing members - Religions where religious beliefs are declined don't value marriages and so divorces are high.
Which functionalist talks about the rising expectations of marriages?
Ronda Fletcher- believes that higher expectations people have on marriages today ate a major cause of rising divorce rates.
- Love has become a dominant factor over the last couple of centuries
- If love dies there is no longer a reason to remain married
- Love is not a commitment nowadays.
(Changes in the role of women)Why have women increased financial independence?
Women are much more likely to be in paid work. Even though women earn less than men, Equal Pay Acts and Sex discrimination laws have helped to arrow the pay gap.
- Now Girls have high expectations of education
- Females are no longer financially dependent on their husbands so they can divorce by themselves.
What are the Feminist arguments towards the rise of divorces?
Married women are required to take on paid work and housework. This creates a conflict between couples leading to high rates of divorces.
-Marriage remains patriarchal with men benefiting from their wives (e.g. triple shift’ of paid work)
What do Sociologists Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens argue about modernity and individualism which increases the divorce rate?
They argue that in modern society traditional norms such as the duty to remain with the same partner for life lose their hold over individuals. This is because of:
1) Rise in normality of divorces
2) marriage is becoming less important
Give 2 interpretations of marriages
1) Feminists- It is not supporting that marriage is in decline, because it is a patriarchal institution that oppresses women. It is a good thing that there are less marriages now.
2) Functionalists-Lower marriage rate does not prove that marriages are dead. People still believe in the primary of marriages. The rise of romantic love means that we are all seeking our soulmates.
3) Post-Modernists- Fewer people are marrying because there are more diverse relationships and family structures now. For example, people can choose to live together and have kids without getting married. Because people define their relationships on the basis of what they get out of them rather than a sense of duty and tradition, marriage has become less stable.
4) New Right- It is bad that there are fewer marriage. State policy has given a perverse incentive to people not to marry. Marriage is the only way adults should enter into a serious relationships and have children together.
What are the reasons for changing patterns of marriage?
1) Secularisation
2) Declining stigma attached to alternatives to marriage (e.g. cohabitation)
3) Changes in the position of women
Give 2 interpretations of cohabitation
1) Feminist- Argue that cohabitation is better for women than traditional marriage. Cohabiting couples have less defined gender scripts and share households responsibilities much more equally than married couples.
2) New Right- Argue that cohabitation s wrong as it undermines traditional nuclear family structure. Also they argue that parents should be married and all children should be born into wedlock,
3)Post Modernist- Argue that cohabitation is a positive choice that couples can make as they are now free to find their relationships according to their own needs. Cohabitation contributes to increasing family diversity.
