MT4 - Marriage, cohabitation and divorce

Question 1

The Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act

Answer 1

1984

Reduced the time limit on divorce from 3 to 1 year so now divorce is quicker to get.

Question 2

Divorce Law Reform Act

Answer 2

1969

a spouse had to prove in court either cruelty, desertion or adultery in order to get a divorce

It is now enough to show that they can no longer live together so it has become easier to get a divorce.

Question 3

The Civil Partnership Act

Answer 3

2005

same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples.

Question 4

Marriage trends

Answer 4

Attitudes to marriage are changing – there is now less pressure on individuals to marry and the quality of the relationship is more important than its legal status. Rise in the number of children born outside marriage - less stigma.

Increase in secularisation – no pressure to get married as religious influences decline. People have the freedom to choose alternatives to marriage.

Weddings are expensive

Fear of divorce - 50% of divorces occur after 10 - 20 years of marriage.

Question 5

Cohabitation trends

Answer 5

Increase in secularisation – cohabitation is no longer seen as ‘living in sin’.

Conscious attempt to create a more equal relationship, Shelton and John – cohabiting women do less housework than married women.

Changes in social attitudes - no more ‘shotgun weddings’ because of pregnancy sex outside marriage and cohabitation are now acceptable.

Question 6

Marriage/Child rearing at a later age

Answer 6

The influence of Feminism: Sharpe - women prioritise careers

Change in attitudes - no pressure to get married young, people wait until they find the ‘right person’.

Question 7

Feminist theory on marriage, cohabitation and divorce

Answer 7

Marriage is a social institution based on inequalities with regard to housework and childcare.

Divorce allows women who are trapped in violent or empty shell marriages to leave and start again.

Cohabitation allows a woman to ‘test’ the man is right for her before they enter into a marriage.

Question 8

New Right theory on marriage, cohabitation and divorce

Answer 8

Divorce should not be so easy to obtain. Couples should try to work on their relationship so governments should make divorce more difficult to obtain

Marital breakdown causes social instability such as high crime rates, alcoholism and drug abuse.

Cohabiting couples are more likely to split up. This may create a lone parent family which can’t socialise children properly thus leading to social instability.