PARTENRSHIPS

Question 1

What are 5 REASONS for CHANGING PATTERNS in MARRIAGE

Answer 1

• CHANGING ATTITUDES to MARRIAGE
• SECULARISATION
• DECLINING STIGMA ATTACHED to ALTERNATUVES to MARRIAGE
• CHANGES in POSITION of WOMEN
• FEAR of DIVORCE

Question 2

Explain REASON for CHANGING PATTERNS of MARRIAGE - - CHANGING ATTITUDES to MARRIAGE

Answer 2

• LESS PRESSURE to MARRY and MORE FREEDOM for INDIVIDUALS to CHOOSE the TYPE of RELATIONSHIP they WANT
• now a WIDEPREAD BELIEF that the QUALITY of Couple’s RELATIONSHIP is MORE IMPORTANT Than it’s LEGAL STATUS
• the NORM for PEOPLE to GET MARRIED has WEAKENED

Question 3

Explain REASON for CHANGING PATTERNS of MARRIAGE - DECLINING STIGMA ATTACHED to ALTERNATIVES to MARRIAGE

Answer 3

• COHABITATION, REMAINING SINGLE and Having CHILDREN OUTSIDE of MARRIAGE are ALL Now WIDELY REGAREDED as ACCEPTABLE
• in 1989, 70% BELIEVED COUPLES who WANT CHILDREN should GET MARRIED BUT by 2012 - ONLY 42%

Question 4

Explain REASON for CHANGING PATTERNS of MARRIAGE - CHANGES in the POSITION of WOMEN

Answer 4

• with BETTER EDUCATIONAL and CAREER PROSPECTS, Many WOMEN are now LESS ECONOMICALLY DEPENDANT on MEN
• this GIVES them GREATER FREEDOM to MARRY
• the FEMINIST VIEW that MARRIAGE is an OPPRESIVE PATRICHAL INSTITUION may also DISSUADE Some WOMEN From MARRYING

Question 5

How have COHABITATIONS CHANGED and WHY

Answer 5

Cohabitation - an Unmarried Couple in a Sexual Relationship
- while Number of Marriages is Falling, Cohabitating is Rising
- rise is Due to Decline in Stigma attached to Sex Outside Marriage
- Increased Career Opportunitues for Women may mean they Have Less Need For the Finanical Secuiruty of Marriage and are Freer to Opt for Cohabitatiom

Question 6

How have SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS CHANGED and WHY

Answer 6

• Evidence say People are More Accepting of Same Sex Relationships today
• Increased Social Acceptance may Explain a Trend Towards Same-Sex Cohabitation and Stable Relationships that Resemble those Found by Heterosexuals
• Lack/Absence of Framework meant Same Sex Partners have had to Negotiate Their Commitment and Resposibilities More than Married Couples. This may have Made Same-Sex More Flexible than Hetereosexual Relationships Meanings more Potential Increase in Same Sex Relationships

Question 7

How have ONE PERSON HOUSEHOLDS CHANGED and WHY

Answer 7

• Big Rise in Number of People Living Alone
• Increase in Separation and Divorce has Created More One Person Households, especially among men under 6s - Children More Likely to Live with Mother After Divorce
• Decline in Number Marrying and the Trend Towards Marrying Later, mean More People are Remaining Single

Question 8

Explain what LEVIN means by LAT RELATIOSNHIPS

Answer 8

(Living Apart Together) - Indivduals in Long Term Intitmate Relationships that Define Themselves as a Couple yet Don’t Share a Common House and Choose to Live in a Seperate Households From their ‘Apartners’

Question 9

Explain how LEVIN sees the GROWTH of LAT RELATIONSHIPS

Answer 9

• Growth Arising from Similar Social Changes and Changing Norms to Those Identified earlier For the Rise of Divorce, the Decline of Marriage and Increase in Cohabitations
• Widespread Acceptance of Divorce and Cohabitation has Contributed in Growth of LATs -> People are More Open to New Styles Relationships
• Divorce and Separation Rates have continued to Increase, the LAT relationship has become More Common - with Growing Individualisation and Choice in Relationships

Question 10

What is the Meaning of LAT’s Accroding to LEVIN and 2 Reasons Why it Chosen Over Marriage or Cohabitation

Answer 10

Enables Couples to Pursue the Intimacy of Being In a Couple and at the time Preserve their Individual Autonomy and Identity
1. RESPONSIBILITY and CARE - Couple have Existing Responsibilities for Other People, and they Don’t Want a New Relationship to Get in Way or Threaten Existing Relationships
2. PRACTICAL REASONS - e.g. Apartners Working in Different Places, and LAT’s Avoid Conflicts for them, In Terms of Finding New Jobs