Changing family patterns - Partnerships

• Half are people of a pensionable age
• 2006 - almost 30% of households  - nearly 3x as much than in 1961

REASONS:

• Increase in divorce
• Decling in people marrying
• STEIN - 'creative singlehood' 

• WEEKS - Increased acceptance 
• STONEWALL - 5-7% of the population

• Over 2million cohabiting couples in the UK
• Expected to double again in 2021 just like it did in 1986

REASONS:

• 88% of young people said it's ok to live togther with no intentions of getting married
• Women no longer need to depend on men - equal career opportunities
• Declining stigma - sex before marriage
• Secularisation - those without a religion are more likey to cohabit

• Couples are less likey to marry in church
• More re-marriages - 2005 - 40% of marriages are re-marriages
• Fewer people are marrying - 2005 - 170,800 (less than half in 1970)
• People are marrying later - 2005 - 32 for men and 30 for women