Marriage & Cohabitation

• What is marriage defined as in sociology?

  Marriage is a legally binding partnership between couples in a sexual relationship living together.
• How many first marriages were there in 2012?

  175,000 first marriages.
• What has contributed to fewer people marrying for the first time?

  Changing attitudes and less social pressure to marry have contributed to fewer first marriages.
• What was the percentage of people who believed couples should be married before having children in 2012?

  42% of people believed couples should be married before having children in 2012.
• How did feminist explanations contribute to the decline in first-time marriages?

  Feminists argue that the oppression of women within the family leads to fewer people wanting to marry.
• What is the 'triple shift' that feminists highlight?

  The 'triple shift' refers to paid work, domestic work, and emotional work that women manage.
• What impact does fear of divorce have on marriage rates?

  Fear of divorce leads some couples to avoid marriage altogether.
• What was the average cost of a wedding mentioned in the study material?

  The average cost of a wedding is £21,000.
• What proportion of marriages in 2012 were re-marriages?

  One third of marriages were re-marriages for one or both partners.
• What is 'serial monogamy'?

  Serial monogamy refers to a series of marriage partners or long-term relationships over the life course, one at a time.
• Why are people marrying later in life?

  People are marrying later due to postponement for education and career establishment.
• What has happened to the number of couples marrying in churches since the 1980s?

  The number of couples marrying in churches has halved since the 1980s.
• What is the New Right perspective on declining levels of marriage?

  The New Right views declining levels of marriage as negative, believing children are best raised by married couples.
• How do feminist views interpret lower levels of marriage?

  Feminists see lower levels of marriage as a sign of women's awareness of oppression and confidence to reject it.
• What is cohabitation defined as in sociology?

  Cohabitation is a partnership between unmarried couples in a sexual relationship living together.
• What percentage of adults are cohabiting as of the study material's data?

  About 1 in 8 adults are cohabiting.
• What has contributed to the increase in cohabitation?

  Changing attitudes and less social pressure to marry have contributed to the increase in cohabitation.
• How has the position of women changed in relation to cohabitation?

  Women are now economically independent, making them less likely to opt for unsatisfactory marriages.
• What is the relationship between marriage and cohabitation according to the study material?

  There is no clear link between the increase in cohabitation and the decrease in marriage rates.
• What do some couples view cohabitation as?

  Some couples view cohabitation as a trial marriage and intend to marry if all goes well.
• What does research show about women who cohabit compared to those who are married?

  Research shows that women who cohabit do less housework than those who are married.
• What are the reasons for the increase in cohabitation?

  • Changing attitudes towards marriage
  • Economic independence of women
  • Declining influence of religion
  • Fear of divorce
• What are the social meanings of changing marriage patterns according to different perspectives?

  • New Right: Declining marriage is negative for children.
  • Feminist: Lower marriage levels indicate women's awareness of oppression.
• What factors contribute to people marrying later in life?

  • Postponement for education and career
  • Cohabitation to test relationships
• What are the implications of secularisation on marriage rates?

  • Reduced need for religious ceremonies
  • Increased acceptance of non-marital relationships
• What is the significance of the rising divorce rates in relation to marriage and cohabitation?

  • Increased supply of individuals ready to remarry
  • Cohabitation as a non-legally binding option after divorce
• What are the implications of the cost of marriage on couples' decisions?

  • High wedding costs deter couples from marrying
  • Couples may choose cohabitation as a more affordable option
• What is the impact of the stigma of illegitimacy on marriage and cohabitation?

  • Previous stigma led to a belief that children should not be born out of wedlock
  • Cohabitation has become less stigmatised over time
• How do societal changes reflect on marriage and cohabitation patterns?

  • Increased choice over marrying or not
  • Greater social acceptance of cohabitation