MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE Flashcards
Describe the past Male instrumental role
Breadwinner
Power status
Makes the decisions
In charge
Describe the past female expressive role
Love, honour and obey
Follows instructions of her lord or master
Domestic labour and emotional work
4 out of 10 marriages were remarriages in what year?
2005
60% of marriages were in religious ceremonies in what year? Dropped to 35% in what year?
1981
2005
List 5 changing family patterns over the last decade
Fewer first marriage, more remarriages People are marrying later Women are having fewer children - later Divorce rates increased More lone + reconstituted families
Why was marriage at its peak in 1940?
Married men with dependants were deferred from being drafted into the army
When was the divorce act introduced?
What were the implications of this?
1969
This made it more accessible as it enabled ‘no fault’ divorce, individual didn’t need grounds, + cheaper.
List 5 changing marriage patterns
Quality of relationship > legal status
Religious influence declining (no pressure)
Changes in position of women, freedom not to marry
Fear of divorce
Expense of marriage
1857
Divorce wasn’t readily available, only attainable through an act of parliament
1923
Men and women had equal divorce rights
What is desertion?
A poor persons divorce
1984
Divorce petition period reduced from 3 years to 1 year
2007
Appeal court indicates 50 50 split of all assets of men and women
Why are divorce rates on the rise?
List 6
Reduced function of the family (people are more independent)
Welfare state support for lone-parents
Female independence
Divorce more socially acceptable
Changes in law make divorce quicker, easier and cheaper
Wider availability of contraception (less inclination for sustained marriage)
