changing patterns of divorce
Divorce refers to the legal ending of a marriage, and since the divorce reform act of 1969, divorce can now be granted for 'irretrievable breakdown'. Since the 1960's, there has been a great increase in the number of divorces in the United Kingdom. The number of divorces doubled between 1961 and 1969, and doubled again by 1972. The upward trend continued, peaking in 1993 at 180,000 divorces that year. At this current day, 7/10 divorce applications come from women, which is a sharp contrast from what it used to be - in 1946 only 37% petitions came from women. Couples whose marriages are at greater risk of divorce are young couples, those who have had a child or cohabited before marriage, and those where one or both partners have been married before.
EXPLANATIONS OF THE INCREASE IN DIVORCE
Changes In The Law
Divorce was extremely difficult to get in 19th century britain. In the current times, getting divorced is a lot easier, quicker and socially accepted. There have been three kinds of changes in the law which has made divorce easier - equalising the grounds for divorce between sexes, widening the grounds for divorce and making divorce cheaper. When the grounds were equalised for both sexes in 1923, there was a sharp rise in women petitioning for divorce. The widening of the grounds in 1971 led to almost double the amount of divorce petitions. Although divorce is the legal termination of a marriage, some couples do decide to separate in other ways whilst remaining legally married, such as Desertion, Legal Seperation and carrying on as an 'empty shell' marriage. Although the laws do make divorce a lot easier, it does not fully explain why people are choosing to take up this option.
Declining Stigma and Changing Attitudes
Stigma refers to the negative label and social disapproval of divorce. Sociologists argue that social expectations in marriage have changed. Functionalist Sociologists argue that rising divorce rates go to show that marriage is increasingly valued and that people are just wanting higher standards in marriage. Couples are no longer happy to remain in an unhappy loveless marriage - people want emotional and sexual compatibility and equality in marriage. Feminists note that womens expectations in marriage have significantly changed aswell. Thornes and Collard (1979) view that women expect far more from marriage than men and women value friendship and emotional gratification in marriage then men do. If husbands fail to live up to these expectations, women will want to look elsewhere.
There is also less social judgement from society if someone was to get divorced. In the past, churches used to strongly condemn divorce. The fact that divorce is now so common, people are more likely to judge it as a misfortune rather than a shameful act.
Secularisation
Secularisation refers to the decline in the influence of religion in Society. Many sociologists argue that religious insitutions and ideas are losing their influence and society is becoming increasingly secular. As a result of this, the traditional opposition of the church opposing divorce has less weight in society, and people are less likely to be influenced by religion when making life decisions. According to 2001 cencus data, 43% of young people with no religion were cohabiting, compared to 34% of christians, 17% of muslims, 11% of hindus and 10% of Sikhs. As well as this, many churches have began to soften their views on divorce because they fear losing credibility with large sections of the public and church members.
Rising Expectations of Marriage
Functionalist sociologists such as Ronald Fletcher (1966) argue that the higher expectations people place on marriage in todays society is one of the key reasons for increased divorce rates. Higher expectations mean people are less likely to tolerate an unhappy marriage. This is linked to the ideology of love - an idea that has become dominant over the last couple of centuries. It follows that if the love dies, there is no justification for remaining married. In the past, people often had little choice on whom they married. Families often arranged marriages, and people often married into certain families for wealth and status. Today, Marriage is not seen as a binding contract but a relationship where the partners seek personal fulfilment. Functionalists do try and take a positive view, such as Fletcher. He accounts that a lot of people do go on to remarry and high divorce rates dosnt mean that people dont still value marriage.
Changes In the Position Of Marriage
One reason for women's increased willingness toward divorce is the improvements on their economic position, making them less financially dependant on their husband. Women today are much more likely to be in paid work, and laws have helped to narrow the pay gap. These developments mean women are able to support themselves after a divorce. Allan and Crow argue that marriage is less embedded within the economic system, so spouses are not economically interdependant. Arlie Hochschild (1997) say women can sometimes feel more valued at work than at home, which can contribute to the sense of unhappiness in the marriage.
Divorce was extremely difficult to get in 19th century britain. In the current times, getting divorced is a lot easier, quicker and socially accepted. There have been three kinds of changes in the law which has made divorce easier - equalising the grounds for divorce between sexes, widening the grounds for divorce and making divorce cheaper. When the grounds were equalised for both sexes in 1923, there was a sharp rise in women petitioning for divorce. The widening of the grounds in 1971 led to almost double the amount of divorce petitions. Although divorce is the legal termination of a marriage, some couples do decide to separate in other ways whilst remaining legally married, such as Desertion, Legal Seperation and carrying on as an 'empty shell' marriage. Although the laws do make divorce a lot easier, it does not fully explain why people are choosing to take up this option.
Declining Stigma and Changing Attitudes
Stigma refers to the negative label and social disapproval of divorce. Sociologists argue that social expectations in marriage have changed. Functionalist Sociologists argue that rising divorce rates go to show that marriage is increasingly valued and that people are just wanting higher standards in marriage. Couples are no longer happy to remain in an unhappy loveless marriage - people want emotional and sexual compatibility and equality in marriage. Feminists note that womens expectations in marriage have significantly changed aswell. Thornes and Collard (1979) view that women expect far more from marriage than men and women value friendship and emotional gratification in marriage then men do. If husbands fail to live up to these expectations, women will want to look elsewhere.
There is also less social judgement from society if someone was to get divorced. In the past, churches used to strongly condemn divorce. The fact that divorce is now so common, people are more likely to judge it as a misfortune rather than a shameful act.
Secularisation
Secularisation refers to the decline in the influence of religion in Society. Many sociologists argue that religious insitutions and ideas are losing their influence and society is becoming increasingly secular. As a result of this, the traditional opposition of the church opposing divorce has less weight in society, and people are less likely to be influenced by religion when making life decisions. According to 2001 cencus data, 43% of young people with no religion were cohabiting, compared to 34% of christians, 17% of muslims, 11% of hindus and 10% of Sikhs. As well as this, many churches have began to soften their views on divorce because they fear losing credibility with large sections of the public and church members.
Rising Expectations of Marriage
Functionalist sociologists such as Ronald Fletcher (1966) argue that the higher expectations people place on marriage in todays society is one of the key reasons for increased divorce rates. Higher expectations mean people are less likely to tolerate an unhappy marriage. This is linked to the ideology of love - an idea that has become dominant over the last couple of centuries. It follows that if the love dies, there is no justification for remaining married. In the past, people often had little choice on whom they married. Families often arranged marriages, and people often married into certain families for wealth and status. Today, Marriage is not seen as a binding contract but a relationship where the partners seek personal fulfilment. Functionalists do try and take a positive view, such as Fletcher. He accounts that a lot of people do go on to remarry and high divorce rates dosnt mean that people dont still value marriage.
Changes In the Position Of Marriage
One reason for women's increased willingness toward divorce is the improvements on their economic position, making them less financially dependant on their husband. Women today are much more likely to be in paid work, and laws have helped to narrow the pay gap. These developments mean women are able to support themselves after a divorce. Allan and Crow argue that marriage is less embedded within the economic system, so spouses are not economically interdependant. Arlie Hochschild (1997) say women can sometimes feel more valued at work than at home, which can contribute to the sense of unhappiness in the marriage.
one parent families
With the rising rates of divorce, naturally brings the rising of one parent families in the UK. The number of one parent families tripled between 1961 and 2005. There are now approximately 1.75 million single parent families in the UK and make up 23% of all families. 90% of these families are headed by women.
Ford and Millar (1998) note that lone parenthood is seen as a second rate and imperfect family type by society - reflecting the selfish choices of adults against the interests of their children. New Right sociologists argue a link between educational attainment and one parent families. They argue that one parent families lack self discipline and emotional stability. New Right thinkers are also concerned about the cost of lone parent families to the country, with single parents being able to get benefits.
Ford and Millar (1998) note that lone parenthood is seen as a second rate and imperfect family type by society - reflecting the selfish choices of adults against the interests of their children. New Right sociologists argue a link between educational attainment and one parent families. They argue that one parent families lack self discipline and emotional stability. New Right thinkers are also concerned about the cost of lone parent families to the country, with single parents being able to get benefits.
RECONStITUTED FAMILIES
Another effect of increasing divorce rates has brought the rise of reconstituted families. This is defined as a family made up of partners who were previously married and have since divorced or been widowed, remarried someone else joining up two families with various stepchildren from one or both partners. In 2003, it was estimated that 726,000 children were living in this type of family. Children in these families are still very likely to have a healthy, and regular relationship with their biological parent. An increasing number of children are experiencing 'co-parenting' where they spend one half of the week with each parent.
De'Ath and Slater's (1992) study highlighted a number of challenges reconstituted families face. Children may find themselves being pulled in two different directions - especially if the relationship between their biological parents is strained. They may also experience tense relationships with their step parents and step children. It may create an envious and conflict environment for the children.
De'Ath and Slater's (1992) study highlighted a number of challenges reconstituted families face. Children may find themselves being pulled in two different directions - especially if the relationship between their biological parents is strained. They may also experience tense relationships with their step parents and step children. It may create an envious and conflict environment for the children.
Singlehood
One other type of increasing family type is the increase in single person households. More than 6.5m people now live alone in the UK, three times as many people as 40 years ago. Some of the elderly one person households do account for some of these figures. However, the majority is due to an increase in single young adult households. There have been a number of reasons identified for this change;
- The increase in female employment and career opportunities has meant women are gaining financial independence and are less worried about finding someone to settle down with and live with. Women are distracted by their careers and choose to focus on this.
- The expansion of higher education means more people are now going to university, delaying the start of their careers and thus delaying 'settling down'.
- Changes in attitudes mean there is less social pressure for people to get married young and settle down. People are prioritising education and careers over finding a partner to live with. They are delaying cohabitation and marriage till later on in life. 7
- The rise in divorce rates also accounts for the rising numbers of single person households.
