Marriage

Question 1

Reasons why fewer people are getting married

Answer 1

1) Changing attitudes to Marriage: less pressure to marry as there is more freedom to choose type of relationship people want.

2) Secularisation: Religion is losing influence over aspects of society & public life.

3) Decline of stigma: Cohabitation and having children out of marriage becoming acceptable within society. Viewed as a norm.

4) Changes in Position of Women: Women given opportunities in workforce resulting to them wanting to focus on career.
Able to be more independent in patriarchal society.

Question 2

Reasons why people are Marrying later

Answer 2

1) Spend time longer in full time education: to make use of their education to reach opportunities

2) Establish themselves in their career: they aspire to be successful

3) Save money: wanting to be financial stable

4) Cohabit before getting married: Gives insight for future what living together would feel like.

Question 3

Reasons why Civil Ceremonies have increased

Answer 3

1) Secularisation: fewer people see relevance of religious ceremonies.

2) Many Churches refuse to Marry Divorces: churches have moral and ethical standards which emphasises the importance of maintaining lifelong commitment. View remarrying not following the principles/teachings of the Church.

Question 4

List the 4 main patterns & trends relating to marriage

Answer 4

1) fewer people are marrying
2) remarriages are increasing
3) people are marrying later
4) civil ceremonies have increased

Question 5

define marriage

Answer 5

a legally or formally recognised union of two people as partners in a personal relationship

Question 6

define ‘Civil partnership’

Answer 6

legal relationship which can be registered by two people who are not related to each other.
Their rights are similar to those of marriage

Question 7

define ‘Secularisation’

Answer 7

religious values are losing influence towards society of the idea of marriage being a necessity

Question 8

List 5 reasons why marriages are declining

Answer 8

1) Changing attitudes to Marriage
2) Secularisation
3) Declining stigma attached to alternatives to Marriage
4) Changing in the position of Women
5) Fear of Divorce

Question 9

define ‘serial monogamy’

Answer 9

a trend of marriage-divorce-remarriage

Question 10

Why are Remarriages Increasing?

Answer 10

The number of divorce is increasing resulting to more individuals who may choose to remarry.

Question 11

What are the benefits to being married?

Answer 11

• Can get a free £900 tax break if married.
• Greater financial stability as couples can combine their incomes.
• Legal rights & Protection, e.g. inheritance rights.