marriage and divorce Flashcards
what is divorce?
the legal process of ending a marriage
what is separation?
end of a relationship/marriage without divorce
what is an empty shell marriage?
no emotional connection, married without love or happiness.
live together but separate individuals
what are the divorce trends?
- dramatic increase since 1960s
- divorces doubled between 1961 and 1969
- doubled again by 1972
what do divorce statistics NOT show?
- cohabiting couples who split up
- number of people who are separated but not divorced
- people who live in empty shell marriages
why is divorce on the rise?
- changes in the law
- declining stigma/changing attitudes
- secularisation
- rising expectations of marriage
- women’s increased financial independence
what where the changes in the law that effected divorce?
1949 - legal aid to make divorce more affordable
1969-71 - divorce reform act passed which made it possible for people to divorce on the grounds of inevitable breakdown. demonstrated by a 2 year separation (with consent) 5 years (without consent)
1984 - matrimonial and family proceedings act allowed couples to petition for divorce 1 year, led to a record number of divorces
2013 - marriage act - same sex can marry and apply for divorce
what is the declining stigma around divorce?
- divorce is now common and this has reduced the stigma
- divorce is now seen as an unfortunate event in society
how has secularisation effected divorce?
- less people are going to church
- the church can no longer influence people in the way that it used to
- people are less likely to be influenced by the church when making personal decisions
how to rising expectations effect divorce?
- RONALD FLETCHER (functionalist) says couples place high expectations on marriage and aren’t likely to stay in an unhappy marriage
- marriages in the past had low romantic expectations as they were for economic reasons/people had little choice
- now divorce is more likely to occur as marriage is about love / personal fulfilment and people will need if these needs are not met
- now marriage is based on fulfilling each others needs, not out of duty, children or tradition
how has women’s increased financial position effected marriage?
- improved economic position for women - now able to support themselves
- women are more likely to have their own income
- don’t have to rely on a husband financially
- greater equality in the workplace / equal pay laws
- welfare benefits - women no longer have to stay in a bad marriage
