Changing Family Patterns - Divorce

Divorce

• Since 1960s divorce has increased, peaked in 1993, slight decrease since 2010.

• About 7 in 10 petitions (requests) –for divorce are from women.

• Working class - higher rate of divorce than middle class.

• Asian couples - lower rate than white couples.

• More like to divorce- those who have a child and/or cohabit before marriage, those who marry young/a partner from a different class, ethnicity or religion.

Reasons for the trends

• Declining stigma and changing attitudes: more socially acceptable.

• Secularisation:  decline of religion in society- less religious opposition.

• Rising expectations of marriage- marry for love now, not money- leave if love goes.

• Changes in the position of women- working, so can support themselves if they get divorced.

• Changes in the law: now cheaper - couples get legal aid. 1923- grounds equalised between men & women.…