8. Trends in the family

• What is the key trend regarding marriage?

  Marriage is declining
• What does the ONS report about marriage trends?

  Marriage appears to be declining
• By what percentage did opposite-sex marriages decrease from 1972 to 2019?

  50%
• How has the age of marriage changed since the 1990s?

  People are marrying later, into their late 30s
• What are the reasons for changes in marriage and cohabitation?

  1. Changing social attitudes
  2. Popularity of postmodern ideas
  3. Changing role of women
• What was the social pressure regarding marriage before the 1960s?

  Strong pressure to marry before cohabiting
• How has cohabitation changed in social acceptance?

  It has become more socially acceptable
• What percentage of people agreed that children should marry in 1989?

  71%
• What percentage of people agreed with the same statement in 2012?

  42%
• What was the view on sex before marriage in 2012?

  75% believed it was acceptable
• What does secularisation refer to in this context?

  Decline of religious beliefs affecting marriage views
• Who stated that Britain has undergone secularisation?

  Gibson (1994)
• How has secularisation affected the perception of marriage?

  Marriage is seen as less sacred and more practical
• What is "Creative Singlehood" according to Stein?

  Choosing to remain single as a positive option
• What was the perception of singlehood until recently?

  Regarded as a negative status
• How has media representation affected singlehood?

  Singlehood is now seen as glamorous
• What are the key aspects of postmodern ideas affecting marriage?

  1. Individualisation
  2. Confluent Love
  3. Reflexivity
• What does individualisation mean according to Beck and Beck-Gernsheim?

  Seeking lifestyles that fulfill individual needs
• What is "Confluent Love" as defined by Giddens?

  Temporary relationships based on emotional investment
• What does reflexivity involve in personal relationships?

  Constantly questioning if relationships meet expectations
• How did girls' priorities change from the 1970s to the 1990s according to Sharpe?


  From love and marriage to education and careers
• What does Sommerville argue about women's choices in relationships?

  Women have more freedom to escape unsatisfactory relationships
• What is the significance of the Equal Pay Act (1970)?

  Ensures equal pay for equal work
• What does the Sex Discrimination Act (1975) prohibit?

  Denying jobs based on sex
• What percentage of women aged 16-64 were employed in 2018?

  Over 70%
• How has women's employment changed since 1971?

  Increased from 55% to over 70%
• What is the definition of divorce?

  The legal ending of a marriage
• What is the key trend regarding divorce?

  Divorce is increasing
• What was the trend in divorce rates between 1960 and 1993?

  Divorce rapidly increased
• What is the estimated rate of marriages ending in divorce in England and Wales?

  1 in 3 marriages
• What are the reasons for changes in divorce rates?

  1. Changing social attitudes
  2. Changes in the law
  3. Popularity of postmodern ideas
• How has the stigma attached to divorce changed?

  Less stigma is now attached to divorce
• What did the British Social Attitudes Survey (2006) reveal about divorce?

  63% viewed divorce as a positive step
• What percentage agreed that conflict harms children, not divorce?

  78%
• How has secularisation affected divorce views?

  Increased acceptance of divorce as normal
• What is serial monogamy?

  Engaging in multiple monogamous relationships
• How has the law changed regarding women's participation in the workforce?

  Increased representation and equal pay laws
• What did the Divorce Reform Act of 1969 change?

  Allowed divorce on grounds of irretrievable breakdown
• What is the significance of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act (2020)?

  Introduced "No-Fault" divorce
• What does "No-Fault" divorce allow couples to do?

  End marriage without attributing fault