AS - Sociology - Family - Divorce

Divorce

Reasons for the increase in Divorce:

• Change in law
• Decline in Stigma and changing attitudes
• Secularisation
• Increase expectations of marriage
• Change in position of women

1.Change in Law

• Equalising the grounds for divorce
• Widening the grounds for divorce
• Divorce is cheaper

Other Solutions include:

• Desertions - but still married
• Legal Seperation - of money
• 'Empty Shell' marriage - live under same roof but married in name

2.Decline in Stigma

• Churches tended to condemn divorce
• Mitchell and Goody (1997) - important chance since 1960 as a decrease in stigma attached to divorce. They are more willing to look at divorce now as it is common so reduces stigma.

3.Secularisation

• less likely to be influenced by…