Changing family patterns

• What is secularization in the context of society?

  It refers to the declining influence of religion in society.
• What are the changing family patterns related to marriage?

  • Declining marriage rates
  • Increasing average age of marriage
  • Rise in cohabitation
  • Increase in remarriages
• How has the marriage rate in England and Wales changed over the last 50 years?


  The marriage rate has declined significantly.
• What was the average age of marriage in 2005 compared to 1998?


  The average age of marriage increased by 7 years from 1998 to 2005.
• What percentage of marriages were church-based in recent years?

  85% of marriages were church-based.
• What are some reasons for the decline in marriage rates?

  • Changing social attitudes towards cohabitation
  • Reduced stigma associated with cohabitation
  • Decline of religious influence on marriage
• What did Bex (2000) find regarding people's views on marriage?


  Only 9% saw marriage as a pointless piece of paper.
• What is the significance of first marriages taking place in a religious setting?

  It suggests that religion still holds importance for the majority of first marriages.
• What are the implications of women having more economic independence on marriage?


  • More freedom to choose relationships
  • Higher expectations from partners
  • Increased likelihood of conflict leading to divorce or separation
• How has the perception of marriage changed in modern society?

  People now prioritize love and personal commitment in marriage.
• What trend was observed in marriage rates between 2009 and 2013?


  There was an increase in marriage rates during that period.
• What percentage of marriages involve remarriages according to Newne (2000)?


  Just over 25% of marriages involve remarriages.
• What are the characteristics of stepfamilies in the UK?

  • Step families account for 11% of all families with children.
  • Step-fathers are more common than step-mothers.
  • Most children remain with their mothers after a breakup.
• What is cohabitation?

  Cohabitation refers to couples living together without being officially married.
• How many opposite-sex couples were cohabiting in 2012?


  1. 9 million opposite-sex couples were cohabiting in 2012.
• What are some reasons for the increase in cohabitation?

  • Changing social attitudes towards living together
  • Practical considerations over marriage
  • High divorce rates leading to cohabitation as an alternative
• What is the significance of the term "trial marriage" in the context of cohabitation?

  It refers to cohabitation before marriage as a norm.
• What does the term "privatisation of family life" refer to?

  It refers to the shift from extended families to nuclear families, reducing external pressures.
• What are the reasons for the increase in divorce rates?

  • Changes in the law making divorce easier
  • Declining stigma and changing attitudes towards divorce
  • Rising expectations of marriage
• What was the most common reason for divorce in 2021?


  The most common reason was two-year separation.
• How has the divorce rate changed since 2003?


  There has been a decline in divorce rates since 2003.
• What percentage of children experience parental divorce by age 16?

  One in four children experience parental divorce by age 16.
• What are the two main categories for reasons behind the increasing divorce rate?

  1. Changes in the law
  2. Changes in society
• What did the 1964 Divorce Law Reform do?


  It widened the grounds for divorce and made it easier to obtain.
• How has the perception of divorce changed in society?

  Divorce has become normalized and is no longer seen as shameful.
• What are the implications of rising expectations of marriage?

  • Higher likelihood of divorce if expectations are not met
  • Increased pressure on couples to maintain satisfaction
  • Greater acceptance of divorce as a solution to unmet expectations
• What is the impact of effective contraception on marriage and divorce?

  It allows for safer extra-marital relationships and reduces the constraints of marriage.
• How does the nuclear family structure affect divorce rates?

  The nuclear family structure reduces pressure from extended family to remain married.
• What demographic factors influence divorce rates?

  Divorce rates are higher among men and women in their late 20s and teenage marriages.
• What are the perspectives on high divorce rates?

  • Functionalists: High divorce rates reflect increased expectations of marriage.
  • Feminists: High divorce rates indicate liberation from patriarchal structures.
  • Marxists: High divorce rates highlight economic dependency issues.
• What is a factor that couples with different social or religious backgrounds face regarding divorce?

  They face a higher risk of divorce.
• What does it mean when some couples remain legally married but live in separate residences?

  It indicates that they are not living together despite being legally married.
• What is the situation for couples who remain together but no longer have a romantic or sexual relationship?

  They are still legally married but lack a romantic connection.
• What are the general trends in family patterns despite changing attitudes towards marriage and divorce?

  • Most people still live in a family.
  • Most couples have children.
  • Most couples get married.
  • Most divorces lead to remarriage.
• What do functionalists argue about the high divorce rate?

  They argue it reflects increased expectations of marriage rather than a decline in its importance.
• How do feminists view the high divorce rate?

  They see it as a positive sign of liberation from patriarchal family structures.
• What is the perspective of Charles Murray regarding high divorce rates?

  He believes it creates dependency on single mothers and leaves boys without male role models.
• What are reconstituted families?

  • Families created through remarriage.
  • Often involve stepfamilies.
  • May lack the sense of unity found in biological families.
  • Children may feel closer to biological parents than stepparents.
• What did Allan (2001) point out about stepfamilies?


  He noted that the sense of unity may not be felt in stepfamilies compared to families with two biological parents.
• What is Living Apart Together (LAT)?

  • Individuals in committed relationships living in separate households.
  • They share resources and legal entanglements.
  • Seen as an alternative to marriage or cohabitation.
  • Reflects changing concepts of the nuclear family.