Marriage

Question 1

Changes to Marriages

Answer 1

•Fewer people are getting married: marriage rates are at their lowest since the 1920s
•More remarriages: in 2012, 1/3 of all marriages were remarriages for one or both partners
-> this is leading to serial monogamy
•People are getting married later: average age for first marriage rose by 7 years between 1971 and 2012

Question 2

Reasons for changing patterns of Marriage: Changing Attitudes to Marriage

Answer 2

Now there is less pressure to marry and therefore, there is more freedom and time for individuals to choose what lifestyle they want to live and with who. Recently, the quality of a relationship has become a greater priority than it’s legal status

Question 3

Reasons for changing patterns of Marriage: Secularisation

Answer 3

As the church’s influence declines, so does the pressure to be married before having sex. People, especially after the introduction of contraception, no longer have to marry to have sex

Question 4

Reasons for changing patterns of Marriage: Declining stigma to alternatives to Marriage

Answer 4

In 1989, 70% believed that couples who wanted children should get married while in 2012, only 42% thought so.
•Cohabitation, remaining single, having children out of marriage

Question 5

Reasons for changing patterns of Marriage: Changes in the position of Women

Answer 5

Women are now less economically dependent on men which gives them more freedom in society. They no longer have to marry to have financial stability and can focus on their careers without the pressure of having a family

Question 6

Reasons for changing patterns of Marriage: Fear of Divorce

Answer 6

Some people may be put off getting married because they see the high likelihood of divorce

Question 7

Reasons for changing patterns of Marriage: Age on Marrying

Answer 7

Younger people are postponing marriage since they want to focus on their education or their careers instead.
Similarly, they may want to cohabit before committing to marriage