changing family patterns Flashcards
(10 cards)
divorce
- rates have increased dramatically
- using research, it can be said that 40% of all marriages will end in divorce
- the proportion of divorce application from women have doubled since 1946 (70 years) –> the most common reason is her husbands unreasonable behaviour
explanations –>
changes in the law:
- equalising the legal grounds for divorce between sexes
- widening the grounds for divorce
- making divorce cheaper
- other solutions such as; desertion, legal separation, empty shell marriage
declining stigma and changing attitudes:
- a decrease in social disapproval
- churches used to deny marriage services to those previously divorced
- divorce is more normalised and widely accepted as a misfortune rather than being shameful
secularisation:
- religious influence (which disagrees with divorce) has decreased significantly
- church attendance rates continue to decline
- traditional opposition is much less valued
- churches have begun to soften views on divorce in order to align more with the poplutation to keep credibility
rising expectations in marriage:
- Fletcher –> high expectations cause the rising divorce rates as couples are less willing to tolerate an unhappy marriage
- false ideals may be spread through social media which only shows the highlights of marriage
- a result of the belief that marriage should be based solely on love and with one anothers perfect soulmates
increases in women’s rights:
- women now have much more financial independence and so are much less dependent on their husbands in that sense and are freer to end an unsatisfactory marriage
- laws have narrowed the pay gap
- the proportion of women in work has rose 15% in the past 50 years
perspectives:
- functionalism –> against as it destroys the family institution which wont fulfil the necessary functions
- marxism –> approve as marriage maintains capitalism
- feminism –> sees it as freedom from partriarchal control
- new right –> against it as it isnt traditional
- post-modernist –> sees the high rates as individuals exercising their freedoms and it eventually leads to greater family diversity
marriage
changes in trends:
- fewer people are marrying
- more remarriages
- people are marrying later
- couples are less likely to be married in a church
reasons:
- first marriages
- changing attitudes
- secularistaion
- declining stigma to alternatives to marriage
- changes in the position of women
- fear of divorce
perspectives:
- functionalism –> pro-marriage as everyone is playing their role, it promotes child-bearing which keeps society running smoothly
- marxists –> against it as it maintains capitalism through social division
- feminism –> the option/ choice is good, approves of same sex marriage
- interactionism and post-modernism –> freedom of choice
- new right theory –> traditional, heterosexual marraige should be followed
cohabitation
- living together with sexual relations without marriage
- alternative to marriage and is increasing as it becomes more socially acceptable
- requires less comitment and can be used as a trial period
same sex couples
increasing due to secularisation, law changes and it becoming more socially acceptable
one person households
increasing due to less value placed on marriage and childbearing, increase in women right and globalisation (people moving for work tend to live alone despite having a family back home)
living apart together
(LAT) couples with intimate relationships yet they live separately
- due to social acceptance, globalisation and practicality
- more independance and can strengthen the relationship
- it can be a finacial burden and may damage the relationship
beanpole families
multigenerational family that is long an thin with few aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings
- due to the decrease in childbearing and marriage
- provides intergenerational support
- potentially can put strain on the family relationships
reconstituted families
the joining of 2 families after previously divorcing
- due to the increase in divorce and remarrying –> secularisation and social approval
- increased support and diverse perspectives
- creates the potential for conflicts and adjusting to new relationships can prove challenging
lone parent families
a child/ren being dependent on only one parent
- due to childbearing outside of marriage, increase in divorce
- can result in the child recieving more attention and resources while also not having sufficient support or necessary role models
extended families
family beyond the nuclear family
- provides a strong support network, shared responsibilities and cultural continuity (societal diversity)
- however can lead to family conflicts (power struggles) , reduced privacy and emotional burdens
