Divorce

• What is a major cause of changing family patterns?

  Divorce
• What changes have occurred in divorce patterns since the 1960s?

  • Significant increase in divorces in the UK
  • Doubled between 1961 and 1960
  • Doubled again by 1972
  • Numbers fell to 118,000 in 2012
  • Fewer people marrying, more choosing to cohabit
• How many divorces were recorded in the UK in 2012?

  118,000
• What are some explanations for the increase in divorce rates?

  • Changes in the law making divorce easier
  • Equalising grounds for divorce
  • Widening grounds for divorce
  • Making divorce cheaper
• What significant legal change occurred in 1923 regarding divorce?

  Grounds equalised for women and men
• What change was made in 1971 that affected divorce?

  "Irretrievable breakdown" made divorce easier
• What are some alternatives to divorce for unhappy marriages?

  • Desertion: one partner leaves, remains married
  • Legal separation: court separates financial/legal affairs
  • "Empty shell" marriage: live together but married in name only
• What does the term "stigma" refer to in the context of divorce?

  Negative label or social disapproval
• How was divorce viewed in the past compared to now?

  Divorce and divorcees were stigmatized
• Which institutions have historically condemned divorce?

  Churches
• What did Mitchell and Goody (1997) note about divorce stigma since the 1960s?

  There has been a rapid decline in stigma
• What happens to stigma as divorce becomes more acceptable?

  Stigma declines, making divorce more acceptable
• How is divorce being normalized in society?

  It is becoming more socially acceptable and common
• How is divorce perceived today compared to the past?

  It is seen as a misfortune, not shameful
• What does secularisation refer to?

  Decline in the influence of religion in society
• What do sociologists argue about religious institutions?

  They are losing influence in society
• How does secularisation affect personal decision-making?

  People are less influenced by religious teachings
• What is a major cause of rising divorce rates according to rising expectations of marriage?

  Higher expectations lead to less tolerance for unhappiness
• How did marriage choices differ in the past compared to today?

  Past marriages were often for economic reasons
• How is marriage viewed today compared to a binding contract?

  It is seen as a relationship for personal fulfillment
• What do some sociologists say about the popularity of marriage despite high divorce rates?

  They maintain an optimistic view of marriage
• What do feminist critics argue about the view of rising divorce rates?

  They believe it overlooks women's oppression in families
• What has improved women's financial independence?

  Increased participation in paid work
• What percentage of women were in paid work in 1971?

  33%
• What percentage of women were in paid work in 2013?

  67%
• How do welfare benefits affect women's financial dependence?

  They reduce the need for financial dependence on husbands
• What do some sociologists argue about marriage and the economic system?

  Marriage is less embedded within the economic system
• What is the "triple shift" in relation to married women?

  Women manage paid work, domestic work, and emotional labor
• How do women feel valued at work compared to at home?

  They feel more valued at work than at home
• What does Tesson argue about mothers with a double burden?

  They are more likely to divorce
• What do some studies say about working women and divorce rates?

  Working women are not more likely to divorce
• How do modern societal norms affect relationships?

  They make individuals less willing to stay in unsatisfactory relationships
• What is Giddens' concept of a "pure relationship"?

  It exists to satisfy each partner's needs
• How does the rising divorce rate affect societal views on divorce?

  It normalizes divorce and strengthens its acceptance
• What do postmodernists/individualists believe about high divorce rates?

  They show individuals' freedom to choose relationships
• How do New Right sociologists view high divorce rates?

  As undesirable because they undermine marriage
• How do feminists view high divorce rates?

  As desirable for breaking patriarchal oppression
• What is the functionalist perspective on high divorce rates?

  They see it as a result of higher marriage expectations
• What do interactionists aim to understand about divorce?

  What divorce means to individuals
• What does the secular life perspective say about divorce?

  It can cause problems but is normalised