marriage

• recent changes in marriage

  fewer people marrying - rates at lowest since 1920s

  more re-marriages - in 2012 1/3 of marriages were remarriages for one / both partners

  people marrying later - average age of first marriage up by 7 years between 2012 at 32 for men and 30 for women

  couples less likely to marry in church - 60% of weddings religious ceremonies in 1981, only 30% in 2012

  = more people choosing to cohabit instead
• changing role of women and decline of marriage

  growing economic independence gives women more freedom to chose relationships

  women more successful than men in education, and this is gradually being reflected in the labour market as women seek to pursue their own careers

  women's expectations of life and marriage have risen and they are less willing to take on demands associated with housewife-mother role

  growing financial independence means they have less need for security of marriage and support by men
• growing secularisation and decline of marriage


  influence of religion based morality regarding importance of marriage have declined

  marriage is now more about individual and practical choices rather than sacred spiritual unions
• rising divorce rate and decline of marriage


  deters couples from what they see as the risk involved in marriages not lasting
• reducing risk ( BECK ) and decline of marriage


  living in risk society

  individuals less controlled by traditional structures and institutions like family, and there is less loyalty and commitment demanded by social norms of marriage / family life

  emergence of range of socially acceptable alternatives to traditional nuclear family

  individuals face increased risks, as they constantly have to reflect on their lives, weigh up choices and make decisions rather than relying on what was seen as seen as traditional and socially acceptable

  more people choosing to avoid risk involved in marriage
• functionalist perspectives on marriage

  marriage is important institution for primary socialisation and reproduction

  FLETCHER - continued popularity of marriage shown in high rates of re-marriages, suggesting people are only dissatisfied and haven't rejected marriage as an institution
• feminist perspectives on marriage


  maintains gender roles so prevents gender equality and reinforces idea women exist solely to serve men, increasing abuse

  decline in marriage is positive

  BERNARD - many women feel growing dissatisfaction with marriage and conscious of patriarchal oppression so more confident in rejecting marriage
• new right perspective on marriage


  important for children for have stable home with married partners with wife at home looking after children

  decline in marriage is due to moral decline from breakdown of social institutions and acceptance of diversity
• postmodernist perspective on marriage

  declining stigma towards premarital sex means individuals have more opportunities to ' find the one ' and explore different relationships before settling down to marry

  decrease in marriage is due to individual choice and freedom
• effect of changing marriage patterns on society

  increased crime rate

  • married men less likely to commit, children in non-intact families more likely to commit

  worse economy

  • higher marriage strongly correlate with more GDP per capita, greater economic mobility, less child poverty and higher family incomes

  men benefit less

  • less ability for dependance on female partners for domestic labour

  increased freedom of women

  • women escaping patriarchal institution and less dependent on men

  moral decline in society / less social control

  • marriage essential institution maintaining social stability