couples are less likely to marry in a church compared to 30 years ago - religious ceremonies fell by 35% in 2005
reason
rise of secularisation - church has less influence, meaning less pressure to marry
trend
fewer people are marrying - marriage rates are at their lowest since 1920
reason
there is less pressure to marry, it's now a widespread belief that the quality of a relationship is more important than legal status
trend
people are marrying later in life ( male average = 32, female average = 30)
reason
more people are declining stigma attached to marriages like cohabiting, being single, having children out of wedlock became more socially acceptable
trend
there are more remarriages (4 out of 10 marriages are remarriages) leading to serial monogamy
reason
Stacey says women level up from divorces, women become aware of mistreatment - changes in the position of women means they are no longer financially dependant on men and have greater choice + freedom not to marry.