Changing family patterns

• What is the term for children looked after by local authorities and foster parents?


  Foster homes
• How many first marriages were recorded in the UK in 2015?


  170,800
• How has the average age of first marriage changed from 1978 to 2015?


  It rose by 7 years
• What was the average age of first marriage for men in 2015?


  32 years
• What was the average age of first marriage for women in 2015?


  30 years
• What does the term 'divorce' refer to?


  The legal ending of a marriage
• What is meant by 'separation' in the context of marriage?


  Physical separation of spouses
• What is an 'empty-shell marriage'?


  Partners live together but their relationship has broken down
• How has the trend of divorce changed since the 1960s in the UK?


  There has been an increase in divorce
• What percentage of divorce applications came from women in 1946?


  37%
• What percentage of divorce applications come from women now?


  About 65%
• What are the reasons for the increase in divorce rates?

  • Changes in the law (legal aid, equalizing reasons for divorce)
  • Declining stigma around divorce
  • Secularization and reduced influence of religious teachings
  • Changing expectations of marriage and personal fulfillment
• What impact did the introduction of legal aid for divorce cases in 1949 have?


  It lowered the cost of divorce
• How has the stigma surrounding divorce changed since the 1960s?


  There has been a decline in stigma, making divorce more socially acceptable
• How does secularization affect people's decisions about divorce?


  People are less influenced by religious teachings
• What is the ideology of romantic love in relation to marriage?


  It suggests that if love dies, there's no justification to stay married
• How has financial independence contributed to changing family patterns?


  More women are working and achieving better-paid jobs
• What does the feminist explanation suggest about marriage?


  Marriage is patriarchal and benefits men
• What are the characteristics of the individualization thesis?


  • People pursue individual ambitions, often prioritizing career over marriage
  • Emphasis on individualism in marriage
  • Financial independence affects marriage decisions
  • Declining stigma around cohabitation and divorce
• What is the projected percentage of the population that will be single by 2035?


  More than 30%
• What percentage of children are now born outside of marriage?


  Nearly half
• Who are most lone parents, and what is a common issue they face?


  Most lone parents are women who generally earn less than men
• What is a significant challenge faced by 60% of lone parents?


  They are unemployed because they can't afford childcare
• Who blames the growth of lone parent households on welfare benefits?

  Charles Murray
• What is a common characteristic of stepfamilies?


  In 85% of stepfamilies, at least one child is from the woman's previous relationship
• What social problems may stepfamilies experience?


  • Greater risk of poverty due to more children
  • Tensions from contact with non-resident parents
  • Lack of clear social norms for behavior in stepfamilies
• What significant change occurred in divorce law in 1949?


  Introduction of Legal Aid, lowering the cost of divorce.
• How did the equalization of legal grounds for divorce affect individuals?


  It made divorce laws the same for both men and women, facilitating the filing process.
• What new grounds for divorce were introduced that made it easier to obtain a divorce?


  Grounds like “irretrievable breakdown” were introduced.
• What tension is reflected in the introduction of wider grounds for divorce?


  Some churches refused to marry divorced individuals, highlighting tensions between religious and legal changes.
• What trend has been observed regarding the influence of religion on marriage and divorce?


  Religion’s influence over marriage and divorce has declined.
• How have some churches responded to the decline in religious influence over marriage?


  Some churches are now more lenient about divorce.
• What do rising expectations of marriage entail in modern society?


  People expect emotional fulfilment from marriage due to the ideology of romantic love.
• What is likely to happen to marriages that feel like “empty shells”?


  They are more likely to end due to lack of love or purpose.
• What do many individuals believe if love fades in a marriage?


  They see no reason to stay in the marriage.
• What has contributed to increased financial independence for women?


  More women are working part-time or full-time.
• How have Equal Pay and Anti-Discrimination Acts impacted women?


  They have helped women secure better-paid jobs.
• What role do welfare benefits play for single women?


  They provide additional support for single women.
• How is marriage often perceived from a feminist perspective?


  Marriage is often seen as patriarchal, benefiting men more than women.
• What is the “dual burden” that women face at home?


  Women face a “dual burden” of paid work and domestic duties.