Divorce patterns

• Divorce rates in 1974 vs now

  1974- 1 in 4 Marriages end in divorce (25%)

  Now- 1 in 2 Marriages end in divorce (50%)
• Why don't divorce statistics show the full picture

  - separated but not legally divorced

  - "Empty shell" marriages: want to split but still together for the kids

  - Misleading conclusions: increase in divorce may just reflect how it is now easier to, rather than increase in marriage breakdown
• What was divorce like pre 1960s


  - only rich could afford

  - women could not decide to divorce
• 1971 Divorce Reform Act


  = Divorce more accessible

  - don't need proof spouse has committed a "matrimonial offence"
• 1984 Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act


  Allowed you to petition for divorce after just 1yr of marriage
• 1996 Family Law Act


  - Minimum marriage length increased from 1yr to 18months

  - required childrens wishes to be agreed before divorce was granted

  
  

  - attempt to slow down rising divorce rates
• How has a changing society increased divorce

  - Growing secularisation: less guilt, not 'breaking a promise to god'

  - Decreasing social stigma & expectations

  - Changing roles of women: career, more freedom

  - Reducing 'risk' (consumer choice)

  - Increase in effective contraception

  - Increase in life expectancy
• Feminists view on divorce rates increasing

  - Love decline in marriage

  - Marriage is a patriarchal institution

  - Most divorces initiated by women: suggests marriage works better for men than women
• What do Radical feminists argue about Divorce

  - Increase in divorce has not necessarily benefitted women: children live with mother 90% of the time- financial burden

  - Single parents (mostly females) suffer higher levels of poverty & stigma
• What do Functionalists & the New Right believe about divorce

  Divorce indicates decline in morality and breakdown of social structures and social order
• What do Postmodernists believe about divorce

  Increase in divorce reflects the fact that we have more consumer choice
• What do Marxists believe about Divorce

  Divorce is another way to support capitalism: Divorce is very expensive