Patterns in cohabitation, divorce and marriage Flashcards
What are some reasons for the increase in divorce rates?
- Changes with law 2. Decline of stigma & change in attitudes 3. Secularisation 4. Rising expectations of marriage 5. Women’s financial independence 6. Feminism
How do feminists view divorce?
Divorce is seen as breaking free from the oppression of patriarchy.
What is the functionalist perspective on divorce?
Functionalists argue that divorce is not a threat to marriage as a social institution.
What is the New Right’s view on divorce?
The New Right believes divorce undermines marriage and creates an underclass.
What do interactionists say about divorce?
Morgan states that we cannot generalise about divorce; it is different for individuals.
What did Mitchell & Goody find regarding divorce stigma?
There has been a rapid decline in the stigma attached to divorce, making it socially acceptable.
What does Fletcher say about expectations of marriage?
Higher expectations lead to less willingness to tolerate an unhappy marriage; love dying means no justification.
What is Hochschild’s view on home and work?
Home compares unfavourably with work; at work, individuals feel valued, while at home, there is male resistance to housework.
What did Bernard find regarding women’s feelings in marriage?
Women feel growing dissatisfaction with patriarchal marriage.
What does Beck say about modern society and relationships?
In modern society, traditional norms lose their hold over individuals, allowing them to pursue their own self-interest, leading to fragile relationships.
What is the postmodernist view on divorce?
Divorce is seen as a freedom and choice to end a relationship, contributing to family diversity.
What are some changes in marriage?
- Less pressure to marry 2. Fear of divorce 3. Position of women 4. Decline in stigma towards alternatives 5. Secularisation 6. Age
What statistic reflects changes in the average age to marry?
The average age to marry rose by 7 years from 1971 to 2012.
What factors have contributed to increased cohabitation?
- Decline of stigma with sex outside marriage 2. Young people accept cohabitation 3. Increased career opportunities 4. Secularisation
What do Chester and Coast say about cohabitation?
Chester views cohabitation as a process of getting married, while Coast states that 75% of cohabiting couples expect to marry each other.
What does Weeks say about same-sex relationships?
Increased social acceptance has led to a trend in same-sex cohabitation and stable relationships, with chosen families providing similar security and stability.
What did the 2004 Civil Partnerships Act achieve?
It granted same-sex couples similar legal rights to married couples.
What did Duncan & Phillips find about living apart together?
1 in 10 couples live apart together, indicating significant relationships that are less formalised.
What are some changes in childbearing?
- 47% of children born outside marriage 2. Having kids later 3. More options in motherhood
What is Murray’s view on lone-parent families?
Lone-parent families benefit from generous welfare for unmarried mothers and children, leading to a dependency culture.
What is Allan & Crow’s perspective on stepfamilies?
Stepfamilies face problems of divided loyalties and issues with contact with non-resident parents.
What did Ferri & Smith find regarding stepfamilies?
Stepfamilies are at greater risk of poverty.
What is Willmott’s concept of the dispersed extended family?
Relatives are geographically separated but maintain frequent contact through visits and phone calls.
What did Chamberlain find about multiple nuclear families?
Multiple nuclear families maintain close contact, and extended families survive due to their important functions.
