Marriage and Divorce

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What was the pattern of marriage in the UK since 1972
The general marriage rate for females in 1970 was 59.5 and in 20122 it was 19.8
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Average age for marriage since 1972
For men in 1972 it was 24.9 and for females it was 22.9. In 2012 males was 32.4 and females were 30.3.
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Class divide in patterns of marriage
Proffesionals were more married with 66.3% being wed and only 44.5% of unskilled manual workers were married
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Corse et al- USA marriage
The decline of factors jobs means the working class were less likely to have children and get married making it a middle class phenomenon often
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Ethnic differences in marriage
3/4 of Pakastani and Bangladeshi women are married by 25 significantly lower than UK average, British Africans Caribbeans were less likely to marry (39% in UK) and south Asians were the least likely to marry outside their culture
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Morgan- Debate about marriage
Marraige is important to society, social order and morality due to unique attachments formed
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Debate about marriage- ONS
An analysis of statistics by the ONS supported idea that marraige is good for the health of couples
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Why is marriage good economically?
Married men are more employed and eart on average 10-20% more than single or cohabitating men
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Criticisms of new right- Feminist argument
Change of marriage from legally bound ceremony to a personal intimate changed the nature of marriage and aptriarchal marriage was replace by compationate and egaliatarian relationships. Different to the new right purely functional deffinition
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Change in significance of marriage
It has become a more important decision, and even though it appears to be in decline, it is actually just because people are waiting till later to wed
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Changes in significance- Ashkam
Both spouses saw comprimise and negotiation essential to marriage. Women are less carefree about it and marriage as an institution has become stronger.
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Cost of marriage
Economicc reasons for the decline in marriage becuase they can't afford it. Chosing to cohabitate is economic as it can save money, recession could account for the 7.5% drop in marriages. New right exagurate decline of marriage
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Forced marriage
They still exist in the UK despite emphasis on choice and consent. In 2013 1302 force marraiges occured but the FMU estimate it was actually nearer 8000
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Why is it difficult to investigate forced marriages?
As victims do not come forward becuase of shame, or being afraid of getting parents into trouble by doing so.
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Same sex marriage
Legalised in 2014 in the UK. Reason for it was to promote equality and lack of status of civil partnerships.
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Why does Morgan object to same sex marriage
She said it rejects Christian values and conciousness, it shows the general moral decline and it promotes the secular ideology with focus on family diversity taking over
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Trends in divorce- General
Between 1994 and 2012 it has been downwards with 118140 in 2012
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Trends in divorce- ONS
Found that the younger the couple was when getting married the more likely a divorce was to occur
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What are silver splitters
The amount of divorces in the over 60s increased by 45% since 2002
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Divorce rate in 1994 and 2012
In 1994 the divorce rate was 14.2 and in 2012 it was 10.8
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Reasons for increase in divorce between 1972 and 1973- Divorce reform act 1969
Divorce can be granted due to adultory, desertion and other matrimonial offences, the other cause added in this divorce reform act is irretrievable breakdown of marriage
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Reasons for increase in divorce between 1972 and 1973- Subsequent divorce reforms
They have meant that both the female and male can pettition, couples can pettition for a divorce after a year, and they have made divorce more achievable for all and cheaper
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Reasons for increase in divorce between 1972 and 1973- Functionalists
High divorce rate is evidence that marriage is more valued today as people are demanding higher standards. Some people are willing to go through a number of partners to achieve their goals
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Reasons for increase in divorce between 1972 and 1973- Feminists
Womens expectations of marriage have increased since 1970. This supports view that women expect more than men. 54% of women intiated divorce was becuase of husbands unreasonableness
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Reasons for increase in divorce between 1972 and 1973- females working
Women trapped in empty shell marriages couldn't have left due to economic reasons, increasing women working resulted in female economic independence thus divorce was an option
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Reasons for increase in divorce between 1972 and 1973- Hart
May be a reaction to fustration many working class wives feel is seen by husband to be responsible for household tasks etc.
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Reasons for increase in divorce between 1972 and 1973- Secularisation
Divorce was no longer associated with stigma and shame , because of secularisation less people link divorce with the church and breaking of religious vows therefore there is less stigma
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Reasons for increase in divorce between 1972 and 1973- Less pressure from extended family
Traditionally the extended family pressured couples to stay together to avoid the negative stigma associated with seperation and divorce
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Reasons for increase in divorce between 1972 and 1973- less extended family controll
In a nuclear dominated society we view that divorce can lead to greater happieness, such attitued have not lead to a casual attitude to divorce
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Postmodernism on divorce- Why is there an increase in divorce rates
Increase in divorce rates is due to the rapidly changing postmodern world
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Postmodern world- Individualisarion
People are under less pressure to cnform to traditional collective goals set by extended family, religione tc. They have the freedom to pursue personal goals (divorce)
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Postmodern world- Conflict
Between men and women because there is a natural clash of interests between selflessness required by marriage and the selfishness required by individualism
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Postmodern world- Choice
Cultural and economic changes mean that people have a greater range of lifestyle choices available, greater family diversity including the option of divorce
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Average age for marriage since 1972

Back

For men in 1972 it was 24.9 and for females it was 22.9. In 2012 males was 32.4 and females were 30.3.

Card 3

Front

Class divide in patterns of marriage

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Corse et al- USA marriage

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Ethnic differences in marriage

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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