Family Trends- FIRST TIME MARRIAGE

Question 1

First time marriage pattern?

Include 2 statistical points!

Answer 1

-decreased
between what years of 1980 and 2008

-no. of FTM in England and wales fell from 350K to 250K

-marriage also delayed w average age in UK being 30

Question 2

Give 2 reasons why FTMs have decreased?

Answer 2

1= The change in women’s position

2=change is social attitudes

Question 3

How has the change in women’s position affected the rate of First Time Marriages?

Answer 3

DECREASED

Sue Sharpe 1991- women’s priorities has changed from marriage and children to now valuing their career equally hence less interested in marriage

Question 4

How has the change in social attitudes affected the rate of First Time Marriages?

Answer 4

DECREASED

Mitchell and Goody argue it is no longer seen as essential to be married to your partner to be able to live with that person.

It is argued by many that this change is due to secularisation

Postmodernists argue that we are now focused on ourselves and therefore don’t feel the need to get married- now interested in self-gratification not trying to please others.

Question 5

Define and explain secularisation

Answer 5

=decline in religion

in most religions (particularly Christianity) it was seen as ‘LIVING IN SIN’ if you are cohabitating (become much more socially acceptable)