family diversity

• examples of changing family patterns

  -more divorce

  -more remarriage

  -same sex couples

  -cohabiting

  -independent living

  -having fewer children

  -having children later

  -lone-parent & step-parent families
• divorce

  -rates increasing

  -40% of marriages end
• divorce increase

  -changes in law

  -declining stigma & changing attitudes

  -secularisation > decline in influence of religion
• marriage changes

  -fewer people marrying

  -more remarriages

  -people marrying later

  -couples less likely to marry in church
• explanations for marriage decrease

  -women aren't financially dependent on men

  -seeing increase in divorce

  -not as much need anymore > wedlock not frowned upon

  > same rights for unmarried couples

  > vows don't prove love

  -secularisation > not worrying about what god thinks about

  relationships
• % of children born outside marriage & why

  -1986 > 25%

  -2016 > 47%

  -wedlock used to be frowned upon

  -religion not as significant > secularisation

  -socially acceptable now
• average age for woman to have first child& why

  -1971 > 24

  -2012 > 28

  -hard to afford
• average number of children women had & why changed

  -1964 > 2.95

  -2010 > 1.94

  -contraception available now

  -more focus on careers

  -children more expensive

  -easier divorce