marriage: changing family patterns Flashcards
What is marriage?
A legal tying of two individuals.
Trends in marriage:
-fewer people are marrying- compared to 1991, adults in 2021 are 44% more likely to have never been married.
-more remarriages in 2019, 1/3 of all marriages were remarriages.
-marriages later- average of first marriage is now 31, compared to the low 23 in 1970.
-fewer church marriages- in 2019, only 1 in 5 marriages were in a church
-children outside of marriage- 46% of children were born before marriage.
Why? (trends in marriage)
-social media
-religion
-reality tv
-feminism
-legal same sex marriages
-less stigma
How has changing attitudes impacted trends of marriage?
(the opinion towards actions and thoughts in society)
There is less pressure and more freedom for individuals to choose the type of relationship they want. There is now a widespread belief that the quality of a couples relationship is more important than its legal status. The norm that everyone ought to get married has greatly weakened.
How has stigma impacted trends of marriage?
(negative attitudes toward a behaviour)
Cohabitation, remaining single, and having children outside marriage are all now widely regarded as acceptable, so that pregnancy no longer automatically leads to a ‘shotgun wedding’. In 1989, 70% believed that couples who want children should get married, but by 2012, only 42% thought so.
How has secularisation impacted trends of marriage?
(lack of religious control)
The churches are in favour of marriage, but as their influence declines people feel freer to choose not to marry. For example, according to the 2001 census, only 3% of young people with no religion were married, as against up to 17% of those with a religion.
How has changes in women position/feminism impacted trends of marriage?
With better educational and career prospects, many women are now less economically dependent on men. This gives them greater freedom not to marry. The feminists view that marriage is an oppressive patriarchal institution may also dissuade some women from marrying.
How has fear of divorce impacted trends of marriage?
With the rising divorce rate, some may be put off marrying because they see the increased likelihood of marriage ending in divorce.
