Marriage
There have been a number of interesting changes in marriage rates in the last few decades. Currently, marriage rates are at an all time low - when in 2005 only 244,710 couples tied the knot - a significant drop from the previous decade. Here are some statistics;
As you can see, marriage rates have significantly dropped in the last two decades. Why is this? Sociologists have come up with some reasons why...7
Reasons For Declining Marriage Rates...
However some sociologists argue that we must take these facts and statistics with a pinch of salt and that we should be aware that these statistics are greatly exaggerated for various reasons.
- In 1994 the marriage rate (per 1000 people) was 11.4, compared to 10.3 in 2004.
- The marriage rate for males in 1994 was 36.3, and declined to 27.8 in 2004.
- The marriage rate for females in 1994 was 30.6 and declined to 24.6 in 2004.
- In 2005, there were 170,800 first time marriages, less than half the number for 1970.
As you can see, marriage rates have significantly dropped in the last two decades. Why is this? Sociologists have come up with some reasons why...7
Reasons For Declining Marriage Rates...
- Wilkinson (1994) notes that female attitudes towards marriage and family life have gone under radical changes. She argues that young females no longer prioritise getting married and having children, and are instead interested in educational and career opportunities that have opened up for them. Women are no longer financially dependant on men to get by in life, and are more than capable of living alone.
- The overall pressure and social expectation for people to get married and weakened significantly. There is now a widespread belief that the quality of a couples relationship is more significant than its legal status.
- Coinciding with the less pressure to get married, there is a declining stigma attached to alternatives to marriage, such as cohabitation, remaining single and having children outside of marriage.
- Fear of divorce - With the rising divorce rates, some may be put off getting married in the fear that it will also end with divorce.
However some sociologists argue that we must take these facts and statistics with a pinch of salt and that we should be aware that these statistics are greatly exaggerated for various reasons.
- People are delaying marriage, rather than rejecting it all together. Most people will still get married at somepoint in their lives, but the average age of getting married has gotten older. The average age for first time brides in 2003 was 29 years old and for grooms, 31. In 1971 it was 22 for women, and 24 for men.
- British Social Attitude Surveys indicate that people still highly value the idea of getting married and people also do generally believe that marriage is the best context for raising children.
- 2/5 marriages in the UK are remarriages. This just goes to show that despite failure the first time around, people still value the idea and sancity of marriage and do believe it could work.
- Despite the increasing diversity in family structures, married couples a still the main type of partnership in the UK. In 2005, 7/10 families were headed by a married couple.
cohabitation
The proportion of non-married people living together has risen signifcantly in the last 20 years. From around 12% of men and women in 1986 to around 25% in 2006. The ONS suggest that cohabiting couples are the fastest rising family type in the UK. Around 2.2 million families are cohabiting couples, and has risen by 65% since 1997. This is something that particularly the New Right are not happy about. Morgan (2000) argues that cohabiting couples are not as happy and fulfilled as married couples. The number of cohabiting couples is expected to double again by 2021.
Sociologists have identified numerous reasons for the growth of this family type;
Smart & Stevens (2000)
They carried out interviews with 20 mothers and 20 fathers who had separated from cohabiting partners with whom they had a child with. They found that most of the sample were either indifferent to marriage or had been unsure about marrying the person they had been with. Many of the female participants had wanted their partners to become more 'marriage worthy' especially in terms of expressing emotional commitment. Cohabitation for them, was a test of their own and their partners commitment. Many felt that their commitment to each other was just as strong as a married couples, but they believed it was a lot easier to leave their cohabiting relationship than if they were married.
Some surveys indicate that some young couples may see cohabitation as a 'test' for marriage and that it could be a prelude before they get married.
Kiernan (2007) criticises the judgement of cohabiting couples, as the situation with each couple is different. Some may very well end up getting married after living together for a while. Living together before marriage is a very common thing - many want to test out the relationship before getting married.
Research suggests Cohabitation lasts approximately five years, and approximately 60% of these cohabiting couples then go on to get married.
Sociologists have identified numerous reasons for the growth of this family type;
- Increased cohabitation reflects the decreasing stigma of sex outside of marriage. in 1989 only 44% of people agreed that premarital sex is not wrong, compared to 62% in 2002.
- It is the younger population that is taking up cohabitation. 88% of 18-24 year olds thought it was alright for couples to live together without intention of getting married, compared to 40% of over 65's.
- According to the 2001 cencus, young people with no religion were the most likely to cohabit.
Smart & Stevens (2000)
They carried out interviews with 20 mothers and 20 fathers who had separated from cohabiting partners with whom they had a child with. They found that most of the sample were either indifferent to marriage or had been unsure about marrying the person they had been with. Many of the female participants had wanted their partners to become more 'marriage worthy' especially in terms of expressing emotional commitment. Cohabitation for them, was a test of their own and their partners commitment. Many felt that their commitment to each other was just as strong as a married couples, but they believed it was a lot easier to leave their cohabiting relationship than if they were married.
Some surveys indicate that some young couples may see cohabitation as a 'test' for marriage and that it could be a prelude before they get married.
Kiernan (2007) criticises the judgement of cohabiting couples, as the situation with each couple is different. Some may very well end up getting married after living together for a while. Living together before marriage is a very common thing - many want to test out the relationship before getting married.
Research suggests Cohabitation lasts approximately five years, and approximately 60% of these cohabiting couples then go on to get married.
