Changing Family Patterns

Question 1

Reasons for increased divorce rates

Answer 1

Legal changes - DRA
Less stigma
Secularisation
Higher expectations of martiage- fletcher
Women’s financial independence

Question 2

Reasons for decline in marriage rates

Answer 2

Changing attitudes
Alternatives - cohabitation
Economic independence of women
Feminism
Rising divorce rates

Question 3

Patterns of childbearing

Answer 3

Having children later
More children born outside marriage
Radical feminists still unhappy with women’s role