Marriage and Divorce Flashcards
High divorce rates
1969 Divorce Reform Act (‘no fault’ divorce) increased divorces in the UK by 63,000
People didn’t need a reason to divorce like adultery or abandonment.
Divorces have decreased after marriage, decreasing as a whole. 113,000 a year.
People don’t marry to avoid divorce.
Increase in Secularisation
Religious thinking, institutions, and practices lose social significance.
Fewer people go to church (5% regularly)
Religion loses battles with abortion, politics, and morals as people lose faith in God.
Less traditional ways of marriage.
People live in relationships without the religious ceremony of a relationship.
Reduced Social Stigma
The original view of a non-married woman being a ‘failed person’ with a bad reputation has been decreased
Normal to be single or divorced
¾ royal children are divorced
Do not feel obligated to marry to be able to live with each other.
The changing role of women
Women are becoming more independent
Better educated- Mandatory education, a further desire for independence as they don’t want to rely on men. This provides more job opportunities making them more financially dependent.
Feminist ideas empower women to go against gender roles.
Welfare benefits provide a backup to women in their lowest moments, without the aid of men.
Women do not want to marry men and depend on them- they still want love and a relationship.
Cohabitation is seen as more equal
Expectations of marriage
Women used to marry for financial security, social status, and to have children or cover a pregnancy (shotgun marriage).
Women don’t need to do this anymore and only marry for love, which is rare as it is not something they need to rely on.
