Changing Patterns of Marriage and Divorce

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What are the trends in Marriage?
Marriage has declined significantly since 1972, which was the highest on record. 480K
compared with 231k.
The average age for a woman to get married is
30, for a man it is 32
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Marriage Act (2013)
Legalised same-sex marriage, whereas previously they were only able to have a civil partnership, which is seen as inferior to a married couple in regards to legal rights and societal acceptance
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What are the reason for the decline in marriage
Changes in attitude
Secularisation
Cost of Weddings
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Elaborate on why changes in attitude is a reason for the decline
Couples are choosing to marry later in life or not at all as marriage is not as significant in contemporary society
Couples may choose to cohabit or LAT for long periods of their relationship first
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Elaborate on why secularisation is a reason for
the decline
Decline in religious influence on society allows couples to have more freedom with regards to their lifestyles choices
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Elaborate on why wedding cost is a reason for
the decline
Couples may choose to put the money towards buying their home or raising children instead of getting married
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What do New Right theorists believe about the changes in Marriage?
Morgan (2000) marriage is essential to society as
it promotes morality and obligations.
They are concerned with the decline as it is
proved that married men are more likely to be employed, earn more and live healthier lives. She also rejects same-sex m
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What do feminists believe about the changes in marriage?
Traditional views of marriage are patriarchal, as women are expected to give up their careers to become a mother. A decrease in marriage allows more freedom
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What do marxist feminists believe about the changes of marriage?
Barrett (1988) women are deceived about the positives of marriage during their childhood
when, in reality marriage traps women into a life-long expectation of doing housework without recognition or rewards
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What is an empty shell marriage?
An unhappy couple stay together due to financial reasons or for the sake of their children
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What are the trends in divorce?
Before 1969, divorce was expensive and complex.
Increased significantly after this, due to the Divorce Reform Act
In 1993 165k people got divorced, a record high, and has steadily declined since then despite some fluctuations
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Divorce Reform Act (1969)
Allowed couples to legally obtain a divorce if they could prove that their relationship had experienced a "irretrievable breakdown" if both partners consented after a period of separation
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Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act
(1984)
Reduced the time limit for divorce from three years to one year
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Family Law Act
(1996)
Increased the minimum time limit for divorce to
18 months and introduced a mandatory "cooling off period" in which couples were expected to attend marriage counselling
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What happened in 2011?
The government attempted to ease the burden on family courts by referring divorcing couples to mediation to sort out any differences and settlements of assets
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What do Thornes and Collard (1979) believe is
the reason for the divorce pattern?
The changing expectations of family life, women in particular developed higher expectations of marriage, and are less tolerant of empty shell marriages. Explaining why 75% of divorces are
filed by women
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What is another reason that divorce has changed over the years?
Changing views of society on divorce. The declining influence of religion has meant that less and less people believe it is something that is shameful.
Liberalisation of social attitudes mean that society sees divorce as a lesser evil than domestic viole
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Marriage Act (2013)

Back

Legalised same-sex marriage, whereas previously they were only able to have a civil partnership, which is seen as inferior to a married couple in regards to legal rights and societal acceptance

Card 3

Front

What are the reason for the decline in marriage

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Elaborate on why changes in attitude is a reason for the decline

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Elaborate on why secularisation is a reason for
the decline

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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